CLASSICAL    WORKS. 


LATIN  TEXT-BOOKS. 

Harkness's  Introductory  Latin  Book  intended  as  an  Elementary 
Drill-Book  on  the  Inflections  and  Principles  of  the  Language. 

Latin  Grammar,  for  Schools  and  Colleges.    Revised 

Edition. 

Elements  of  Latin  Grammar,  for  Schools. 

Latin  Header,  with  References,  Suggestions,  Notes, 


and  Vocabulary. 

Practical  Introduction  to  Latin  Composition,  for 


Schools  and  Colleges.  Part  I.  Elementary  Exercises,  intended 
as  a  Companion  to  the  Reader.  Part  II.  Latin  Syntax.  Part 
in.  Elements  of  Latin  Style,  with  special  Reference  to  Idioms 
and  Synonymes.  (Just  published.) 

Caesar's  Commentaries  on  the  Gallic  War,  with 

Notes,  Dictionary,  Life  of  Caesar,  Map  of  Gaul,  Plans  of  Bat- 
tles, etc. 

Cicero's  Select  Orations,  with  Notes,  etc. 

Arnold's  First  and  Second  Latin  Book  and  Practical  Gram- 
mar.* Revised  and  corrected.  By  J.  A.  SPENCEB,  D.  D.  12mo. 
359  pages. 

Practical  Introduction  to  Latin  Prose  Composi- 
tion.* Revised  and  corrected.  By  J.  A.  SPZNCEK,  D.  D.  12mo. 
856  pages. 

Cornelius  Nepos,*  with  Questions  and  Answers,  and  an  Imitative 
Exercise  on  each  Chapter.  With  Notes  by  E.  A.  JOHNSON,  Pro- 
fessor of  Latin  in  University  of  New  York.  New  edition,  en- 
larged, with  a  Lexicon,  Historical  and  Geographical  Index,  etc. 
12mo.  350  pages. 

Beza's  Latin  Version  of  the  New  Testament.  12mo.  291  pages. 

Caesar's  Commentaries  on  the  Gallic  War.  With  English 
Notes,  Critical  and  Explanatory ;  a  Lexicon,  Geographical  aud 
Historical  Indexes,  and  a  Map  of  Gaul.  By  J.  A.  SPENCEB,  D.  D. 
12mo.  408  pages. 

Cicero's  Select  Orations.  With  Notes  for  the  use  of  Schools  and 
Colleges.  By  E.  A.  JOHNSON,  Professor  of  Latin  in  the  Univer- 
sity of  New  York.  12mo.  459  pages. 

Cicero  de  Officiis.  With  English  Notes,  mostly  translated  from 
Zump  and  Bonnell.  By  THOMAS  A.  TIIACHEB,  of  Yale  College. 
12mo.  194  pages. 


STANDARD  CLASSICAL  WORKS. 


Horace,  The  Works  of.  With  English  Notes,  for  the  use  of 
Schools  and  Colleges.  By  J.  L.  LINCOLN,  Professor  of  Latin 
Language  and  Literature  in  Brown  University.  12mo.  575  pages. 

Livy.  Selections  from  the  first  five  books,  together  with  the  twen- 
ty-first and  twenty-second  books  entire.  With  a  Plan  of  Rome, 
and  a  Map  of  the  Passage  of  Hannibal,  and  English  Notes  for 
the  use  of  Schools.  By  J.  L.  LINCOLN,  Prof,  of  the  Latin  Lan- 
guage and  Literature  in  Brown  University.  12mo.  329  pages. 

Quintus  Curtius :  Life  and  Exploits  of  Alexander  the  Great. 
Edited  and  illustrated  with  English  Notes,  by  WILLIAM  HEXBY 
CBOSBT.  12mo.  385  pages. 

Ballast's  Jugurtha  and  Catilina.  With  Notes  and  a  Vocabu- 
lary. By  BUTLER  and  STCRGUS.  12mo.  397  pages. 

It  is  believed  that  this  will  be  found  superior  to  any  edition 
heretofore  published  in  this  country. 

The  Histories  of  Tacitus.    With  Notes  for  Colleges.    By  W.  S. 
TYLEH,  Professor  of  Latin  and  Greek  in  Amherst  College. 
12mo.    453  pages. 
Tacitus's  Germania  and  Agricola.    With  Notes  for  Colleges. 

By  W.  S.  TYLER.    12mo.    193  pages. 

Virgil's  JSneid.*  With  Explanatory  Notes.  By  HENRY  FBIEZE, 
Professor  of  Latin  in  the  State  University  of  Michigan.  (Re- 
cently published.)  12mo.  598  pages. 

The  type  is  unusually  large  and  distinct.  The  work  contains 
eighty-five  engravings,  which  delineate  the  usages,  customs,  weap- 
ons, arts,  and  mythology  of  the  ancients,  with  a  vividness  that  can 
be  attained  only  by  pictorial  illustrations. 


GREEK  TEXT-BOOKS. 

A  First  Greek  Book*  and  Introductory  Reader.  By  A. 
HARKNESS,  Ph.D.,  author  of  "Arnold's  First  Latin  Book." 
4i  Second  Latin  Book,"  etc.  (Recently  published.)  12mo. 
276  pasres. 

Acts  of  the  Apostles,  according  to  the  text  of  AUGUSTUS  HAHN. 
With  Notes  and  a  Lexicon  by  JOHN  J.  OWEN,  D.D.,  LL.  D. 
With  Map.  12mo. 

Arnold's  First  Greek  Book,*  on  the  Plan  of  the  First  Latin 
Book.  12mo.  297  pages. 

Arnold's  Practical  Introduction  to  Greek  Prose  Composi- 
tion.* 12mo.  297  pages. 

Second  Part  to  the  above.*    12mo.    248  pages. 

END   OP  THIS  VOLUME. 


THE 


GERMANIA  AND  AGRICOLA 


CARTS  CORNELIUS  TACITUS. 


WITH  NOTES  FOE  COLLEGES. 


BY 

W.    S.    TYLEE, 

WILLISTON  PROFESSOR  OF  GREEK  IN  AMHERST  COLLEGE. 


NEW  EDITION,   WITH    REVISIONS   AND  ADDITIONS, 
BY   HENRY   M.   TYLER, 

PROFESSOR    OF   LATIN   AND    GREEK   IN    SMITH  COLLEGE 
AT    NORTHAMPTON. 


NEW  YORK: 
D.    APPLETON    AND    COMPANY, 

1,  3,  AND  5   BOND   STREET. 

1881. 


ENTERED,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1S52,  by 

D.  APPLETON  AND  COMPANY, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Southern  District  of 
New  York. 


ENTERED,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1878,  by 

D.  APPLETON  AND  COMPANY, 
In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress  at  Washington. 


STACK 
ANNEX 


PREFACE. 


THE  plan  and  purpose  of  this  work,  which  has 
been  so  widely  used  as  a  college  text-book  for  more 
than  thirty  years,  are  too  well  known  to  require  ex- 
planation. It  will  only  be  necessary  to  state  in  a  few 
words  what  has  been  done  to  improve  the  present 
edition. 

The  text  has  been  carefully  revised  and  corrected 
after  comparison  with  the  most  improved  recent  edi- 
tions. The  Introductions  have  been  enlarged  and 
enriched  with  new  materials,  drawn  largely  from 
such  sources  as  Maine's  Treatise  upon  Ancient  Law, 
Waitz's  Deutsche  Verfassungsgeschichte,  and  various 
other  works  upon  Teutonic  and  Celtic  antiquities. 
The  Notes  have  been  amended  both  by  omissions  and 
additions,  the  latter  being  intended  especially  to  il- 
lustrate the  geography,  history,  and  archaeology  of 


iv  PREFACE. 

Germany  and  Britain,  and  the  character,  customs, 
and  institutions  of  the  early  inhabitants.  The  recent 
editions  most  frequently  consulted  are  the  following  : 
Germania,  by  Dr.  Heinrich  Schweitzer-Sidler,  Halle, 
1874  ;  Germania,  by  Karl  Muellenhoff,  Berlin,  1873  ; 
the  French  edition  of  the  Agricola,  by  J.  Gantrelle, 
Paris,  1875 ;  and  the  editions,  covering  both  the 
Germania  and  the  Agricola,  by  Ulrichs,  1875  ;  Nip- 
perdey,  1876;  Church  &  Brodribb,  London,  1875; 
as  also  the  work  of  Dr.  A.  Draeger,  Ueber  Syntax 
und  Stil  des  Tacitus,  Leipzig,  1874.  The  work  of 
revising  has  been  done,  under  my  supervision,  chiefly 
by  my  son,  Henry  M.  Tyler,  Professor  of  Greek  and 
Latin  in  Smith  College,  Northampton,  whose  name, 
therefore,  appears  on  the  title-page  ;  and  it  has  been 
performed  with  an  earnest  desire  to  make  the  revision 
thorough  without  changing  the  form  and  character  of 
the  original  work,  or  increasing  too  much  its  bulk. 

The  Maps  have  been  taken  (by  an  arrangement 
with  its  publishers)  from  the  edition  of  Church  & 
Brodribb,  published  by  Macmillan,  and  will,  I  am 
sure,  aid  the  student  much  in  understanding  the  geog- 
raphy of  our  author.  The  editor  cannot  but  express 
his  obligations  to  the  publishers,  who  have  reprinted 


PREFACE.  v 

and  electrotyped  anew  the  text  as  well  as  the  Notes 
and  Introductions,  and  have  spared  neither  pains 
nor  expense  to  perfect  its  form  and  external  ap- 
pearance. 

In  sending  out  this  again-revised  edition  of  these 
most  delightful  treatises  of  an  author  in  the  study  of 
whose  works  I  never  tire,  I  cannot  but  repeat  the 
hope  expressed  in  1852  :  that  it  has  been  not  a  little 
improved  by  these  alterations  and  additions,  while  it 
will  be  found  to  have  lost  none  of  the  essential  feat- 
ures by  which  the  first  edition  in  1847  was  commend- 
ed to  so  good  a  measure  of  public  favor. 

W.  S.  TYLEE. 

AMHEBST  COLLEGE,  June,  1878. 


IT  is  the  office  of  genius  and  learning,  as  of  light,  to  illus- 
trate other  things,  and  not  itself.  The  writers,  who,  of  all 
others  perhaps,  have  told  us  most  of  the  world,  just  as  it  has 
been  and  is,  have  told  us  least  of  themselves.  Their  char- 
acter we  may  infer,  with  more  or  less  exactness,  from  their 
works,  but  their  history  is  unwritten  and  must  forever  remain 
so.  Homer,  though,  perhaps,  the  only  one  who  has  been 
argued  out  of  existence,  is  by  no  means  the  only  one  whose 
age  and  birth-place  have  been  disputed.  The  native  place  of 
Tacitus  is  mere  matter  of  conjecture.  His  parentage  is  not 
certainly  known.  The  time  of  his  birth  and  the  year  of  his 
death  are  ascertained  only  by  approximation,  and  very  few 
incidents  are  recorded  in  the  history  of  his  life ;  still  we 
know  the  period  in  which  he  lived,  the  influences  under 
which  his  character  was  developed  and  matured,  and  the 
circumstances  under  which  he  wrote  his  immortal  works. 
In  short,  we  know  his  times,  though  we  can  scarcely  gather 
up  enough  to  denominate  his  life;  and  the  times  in  which 
an  author  lived  are  often  an  important,  not  to  say  essential, 
means  of  elucidating  his  writings. 

CAIUS  COENELIUS  TACITUS  was  born  in  the  early  part  of 
the  reign  of  Nero,  and  near  the  middle  of  the  first  century  in 
the  Christian  Era.  The  probability  is,  that  he  was  the  son  of 


2  LIFE  OF  TACITUS. 

Cornelius  Tacitus,  a  man  of  equestrian  rank,  and  procurator 
of  Belgic  Gaul  under  Nero ;  that  he  was  born  at  Interamna 
in  Umbria,  and  that  he  received  a  part  of  his  education  at 
Massilia  (the  modern  Marseilles),  which  was  then  the  Athens 
of  the  "West,  a  Grecian  colony,  and  a  seat  of  truly  Grecian 
culture  and  refinement.  It  is  not  improbable  that  he  enjoyed 
also  the  instructions  of  Quintilian,  who,  for  twenty  years, 
taught  at  Eome  that  pure  and  manly  eloquence,  of  which 
his  Institutes  furnish  at  once  such  perfect  rules  and  so  fine 
an  example.  If  we  admit  th'e  "  Dialogue  de  Claris  Oratori- 
bus  "  to  be  the  work  of  Tacitus,  his  ideal  of  the  education 
proper  for  an  orator  was  no  less  comprehensive,  no  less  ele- 
vated, no  less  liberal,  than  that  of  Cicero  himself;  and  if  his 
theory  was,  like  Cicero's,  only  a  transcript  of  his  own  edu- 
cation, he  must  have  been  disciplined  early  in  all  the  arts 
and  sciences — in  all  the  departments  of  knowledge  which 
were  then  cultivated  at  Eome:  a  conclusion  in  which  we 
are  confirmed  also  by  the  accurate  and  minute  acquaintance 
which  he  shows,  in  his  other  works,  with  all  the  affairs, 
whether  civil  or  military,  public  or  private,  literary  or  religi- 
ous, both  of  Greece  and  Eome. 

The  boyhood  and  youth  of  Tacitus  did,  indeed,  fall  on  evil 
times.  Monsters  in  vice  and  crime  had  filled  the  throne,  till 
their  morals  and  manners  had  infected  those  of  all  the  people. 
The  state  was  distracted,  and  apparently  on  the  eve  of  disso- 
lution. The  public  taste,  like  the  general  conscience,  was 
perverted.  The  fountains  of  education  were  poisoned.  De- 
generate Grecian  masters  were  inspiring  their  Eoman  pupils 
with  a  relish  for  a  false  science,  a  frivolous  literature,  a  viti- 
ated eloquence,  an  Epicurean  creed,  and  a  voluptuous  life. 

But  with  sufficient  discernment  to  see  the  follies  and  vices 


LIFE  OF  TACITUS.  3 

of  his  age,  and  with  sufficient  virtue  to  detest  them,  Tacitus 
must  have  found  his  love  of  wisdom  and  goodness,  of  liberty 
and  law,  strengthened  by  the  very  disorders  and  faults  of  the 
times.  If  the  patriot  ever  loves  a  well-regulated  freedom,  it 
will  be  in  and  after  the  reign  of  a  tyrant,  preceded  or  fol- 
lowed by  what  is  still  worse,  anarchy.  If  the  pure  and  the 
good  ever  reverence  purity  and  goodness,  it  will  be  amid  the 
general  prevalence  of  vice  and  crime.  If  the  sage  ever  pants 
after  wisdom,  it  is  when  the  fountains  of  knowledge  have 
become  corrupted.  The  reigns  of  Nero  and  his  immediate 
successors  were  probably  the  very  school,  of  all  others,  to 
which  we  are  most  indebted  for  the  comprehensive  wisdom, 
the  elevated  sentiments,  and  the  glowing  eloquence  of  the 
biographer  of  Agricola,  and  the  historian  of  the  Eoman  Em- 
pire. His  youth  saw,  and  felt,  and  deplored  the  disastrous 
effects  of  Nero's  inhuman  despotism,  and  of  the  anarchy 
attending  the  civil  wars  of  Galba,  Otho,  and  Vitellius.  His 
manhood  saw,  and  felt,  and  exulted  in  the  contrast  furnished 
by  the  reigns  of  Vespasian  and  Titus,  though  the  sun  of  the 
latter  too  soon  went  down,  in  that  long  night  of  gloom  and 
blood  and  terror,  the  tyranny  of  Domitian.  And  when,  in 
the  reigns  of  Nerva  and  Trajan,  he  enjoyed  the  rare  felicity 
of  thinking  what  he  pleased,  and  speaking  what  he  thought, 
he  was  just  fitted,  in  the  maturity  of  his  faculties  and  the 
extent  of  his  observation  and  reflections,  "to  enroll  slowly, 
year  after  year,  that  dreadful  reality  of  crimes  and  sufferings, 
which  even  dramatic  horror,  in  all  its  license  of  wild  imagin- 
ation, can  scarcely  reach,  the  long  unvarying  catalogue  of 
tyrants  and  executioners,  and  victims  that  return  thanks  to 
the  gods  and  die,  and  accusers  rich  with  their  blood,  and 
more  mighty  as  more  widely  hated,  amid  the  multitudes  of 


4  LIFE  OF  TACITUS. 

prostrate  slaves,  still  looking  whether  there  may  not  yet  have 
escaped  some  lingering  virtue  which  it  may  be  a  merit  to  de- 
stroy, and  having  scarcely  leisure  to  feel  even  the  agonies  of 
remorse  in  the  continued  sense  of  the  precariousnees  of  their 
own  gloomy  existence."  * 

Tacitus  was  educated  for  the  bar,  and  continued  to  plead 
causes,  occasionally  at  least,  and  with  not  a  little  success, 
even  after  he  had  entered  upon  the  great  business  of  his  life 
as  a  writer  of  history.  We  find  references  to  his  first,  and 
perhaps  his  last,  appearance  as  an  advocate,  in  the  Letters  of 
Pliny,  which  are  highly  complimentary.  The  first  was,  when 
Pliny  was  nineteen,  and  Tacitus  a  little  older  (how  much  we 
are  not  informed),  when  Tacitus  distinguished  himself,  so  as 
to  awaken  the  emulation  and  the  envy,  though  not  in  a  bad 
sense,  of  Pliny.  The  last  was  some  twenty  years  later,  when 
Tacitus  and  Pliny,  the  tried  friends  of  a  whole  life,  the 
brightest  ornaments  of  literature  and  of  the  forum,  were 
associated  by  the  choice  of  the  Senate,  and  pleaded  together 
at  the  bar  of  the  Senate,  and  in  the  presence  of  the  Emperor 
Trajan,  for  the  execution  of  justice  upon  Marius  Priscus,  who 
was  accused  of  maladministration  in  the  proconsulship  of 
Africa.  Pliny  says  that  Tacitus  spoke  with  singular  gravity 
and  eloquence,  and  the  Senate  passed  a  unanimous  vote  of 
approbation  and  thanks  to  both  the  orators  for  the  ability 
and  success  with  which  they  had  managed  the  prosecution 
(Plin.  Epis.  ii.  11). 

We  have  also  the  comments  of  Pliny  on  a  panegyrical 

oration  which  Tacitus  pronounced,  when  consul,   upon  his 

predecessor  in  the  consular  office,  Verginius  Kufus,  perhaps 

the  most  remarkable  man  of  his  age,  distinguished  alike  as  a 

*  Brown's  "  Philosophy  of  the  Mind." 


LIFE  OF  TACITUS.  5 

hero,  a  statesman,  and  a  scholar,  and  yet  so  modest  or  so 
wise  that  he  repeatedly  refused  the  offer  of  the  imperial  pur- 
ple. "  Fortune,"  says  Pliny,  "  always  faithful  to  Verginius, 
reserved  for  her  last  favor  such  an  orator  to  pronounce  a  eulo- 
giuin  on  such  virtues.  It  was  enough  to  crown  the  glory  of 
a  well-spent  life  "  (Plin.  Epis.  ii.  1), 

The  speeches  in  the  historical  works  of  Tacitus,  though 
rather  concise  and  abstract  for  popular  orations,  are  full  of 
force  and  fire.  Some  of  them  are  truly  Demosthenic  in  their 
impassioned  and  fiery  logic.  The  speech  of  Galgacus  before 
the  Briton  army,  when  driven  into  the  extremity  of  Caledonia 
by  the  Eomans  under  Agricola,  can  hardly  be  surpassed  for 
patriotic  sentiments,  vigorous  reasoning,  and  burning  invec- 
tive. The  address  of  Germanicus  to  his  mutinous  soldiers  (in 
the  Annals)  is  not  less  remarkable  for  tender  pathos.  The 
sage  and  yet  soldierlike  address  of  the  aged  Galba  to  his 
adopted  son  Piso,  the  calm  and  manly  speech  of  Piso  to  the 
body  guard,  the  artful  harangue  of  the  demagogue  Otho  to 
his  troops,  the  no  less  crafty  address  of  Mucianus  to  Ves- 
pasian, the  headlong  rapidity  of  Antonius's  argument  for  im- 
mediate action,  the  plausible  plea  of  Marcellus  Eprius  against 
the  honest  attack  of  Helvidius  Priscus,  and  the  burning  re- 
bukes of  the  intrepid  Vocula  to  his  cowardly  and  treacherous 
followers — all  these,  in  the  Histories,  show  no  ordinary  de- 
gree of  rhetorical  skill  and  versatility.  Indeed,  the  entire 
body  of  his  works  is  animated  with  the  spirit  of  the  orator, 
as  it  is  tinged  also  with  the  coloring  of  the  poet.  For  this 
reason  they  are  doubtless  deficient  in  the  noble  simplicity  of 
the  earlier  classical  histories ;  but,  for  the  same  reason,  they 
may  be  a  richer  treasure  for  the  professional  men  at  least  of 
modern  times. 


6  LIFE  OF  TACITUS. 

Of  his  marriage  with  the  daughter  of  Agricola,  and  its  in- 
fluence on  his  character  and  prospects,  as  also  of  his  passing 
in  regular  gradation  through  the  series  of  public  honors  at 
Borne,  beginning  with  the  quaestorship  under  Vespasian,  and 
ending  with  the  consulship  under  Nerva,  Tacitus  informs  us 
himself  (A.  9,  His.  i.  1),  barely  alluding  to  them,  however, 
in  the  general,  and  leaving  all  the  details  to  mere  conjecture. 
"We  learn,  to  our  surprise,  that  he  not  only  escaped  the  jeal- 
ousy of  the  tyrant  Domitian,  but  was  even  promoted  by  him 
to  the  office  of  Quindecimvir  and  Praetor  (Ann.  ii.  11).  Be- 
yond these  vague  notices,  we  know  little  or  nothing  of  his 
course  of  life,  except  that  Pliny  says  (Epist.  iv.  13)  he  was 
much  esteemed  by  the  learned  and  the  great  at  Eome,  who 
went  in  crowds  to  his  levees.  Of  the  time  of  his  death,  we 
can  only  conjecture  that  he  died  before  the  Emperor  Trajan, 
but  after  his  friend  Pliny — the  former,  because,  had  he  out- 
lived the  Emperor,  he  would  probably  have  executed  his 
purpose  of  writing  the  history  of  his  reign  (His.  i.  1) ;  the 
latter,  because,  if  he  had  not  survived  his  friend,  Pliny  who 
lamented  the  death  of  so  many  others  would  not  have  failed 
to  pay  the  last  tribute  to  the  memory  of  Tacitus. 

It  is  generally  admitted,  though  without  direct  testimony, 
that  Tacitus  died  not  without  issue.  That  excellent  prince, 
M.  Claudius  Tacitus,  deduced  his  pedigree  from  the  historian, 
and  ordered  his  image  to  be  set  up,  and  a  complete  collection 
of  his  works  to  be  placed  in  the  public  archives,  with  a  special 
direction  that  twelve  copies  should  be  made  every  year  at  the 
public  expense.  It  is  greatly  to  be  regretted  that  such  praise- 
worthy precautions  should  have  failed  to  preserve  for  us  that 
treasure  entire. 

The  age  of  Tacitus  is  usually  styled  the  silver  age  of  Roman 


LIFE  OF  TACITUS.  7 

Literature ;  and  it  merits  no  higher  title,  when  compared  with 
the  golden  age  of  Augustus.  It  was  the  good  fortune  of 
Augustus  to  gain  the  supremacy  at  Home  when  society  had 
reached  its  maximum  of  refinement,  and  was  just  ready  to 
enter  upon  its  stage  of  corruption  and  decline.  Hence  his 
name  is  identified  with  that  proud  era  in  literature,  in  pro- 
ducing which  he  bore  at  best  only  an  accidental  and  second- 
ary part.  In  the  literature  of  the  Augustan  age,  we  admire 
the  substance  of  learning  and  philosophy  without  the  show, 
the  cultivation  of  taste  without  the  parade  of  criticism,  the 
fascination  of  poetry  without  its  corruption,  and  the  use  of 
eloquence  without  its  abuse.  Grecian  refinement  was  no 
longer  despised ;  Grecian  effeminacy  had  not  yet  prevailed. 
The  camp  was  not  now  the  home  of  the  Eomans ;  neither 
were  the  theatres  and  the  schools.  They  had  ceased  to  be  a 
nation  of  soldiers,  and  had  not  yet  become  a  nation  of  slaves. 
At  no  other  period  could  Borne  have  had  her  Cicero,  her 
Livy,  and  her  Virgil. 

The  silver  age  produced  no  men  who  "attained  unto 
these  first  three."  But  'there  are  not  wanting  other  bright 
names  to  associate  with  Tacitus,  though  most  of  them  lived  a 
little  earlier  than  he.  There  was  Seneca,  the  Philosopher, 
whose  style,  with  its  perpetual  antitheses,  is  the  very  worst 
of  the  age,  but  his  sentiments,  perhaps  more  or  less  under 
the  influence  of  Christianity,  approach  nearer  to  the  Christian 
code  of  morals  than  those  of  any  other  Latin  author.  There 
were  Martial  and  Juvenal,  whose  satires  made  vice  tremble 
in  its  high  places,  and  helped  to  confer  on  the  Romans  the 
honor  of  originating  one  species  of  literary  composition,  un- 
known to  the  Greeks.  There  were  Suetonius  and  Plutarch ; 
the  one  natural,  simple,  and  pure  in  his  style,  far  beyond  his 


8  LIFE  OF  TACITUS. 

age,  but  without  much  depth  or  vigor  of  thought ;  the  other, 
involved  and  affected  in  his  manner,  but  in  his  matter  of  sur- 
passing richness  and  incalculable  worth.  There  was  the  elder 
Pliny,  a  prodigy  of  learning  and  industry,  whose  researches 
in  Natural  History  cost  him  his  life  in  that  fatal  eruption  of 
Vesuvius  which  buried  Herculaneum  and  Pompeii.  There 
was  also  the  judicious  Quintilian,  at  once  neat  and  nervous  in 
his  language,  delicate  and  correct  in  his  criticisms,  a  man  of 
genius  and  a  scholar,  a  teacher  and  an  exemplar  of  eloquence. 
Finally,  there  were  the  younger  Pliny  and  Tacitus,  rival  can- 
didates for  literary  and  professional  distinction,  yet  cherish- 
ing for  each  other  the  most  devoted  and  inviolable  attach- 
ment, each  viewing  the  other  as  the  ornament  of  their  coun- 
try, each  urging  the  other  to  write  the  history  of  their  ago, 
and  each  relying  chiefly  on  the  genius  of  the  other  for  his 
own  immortality  (Plin.  Epis.  vii.  33).  Their  names  were 
together  identified  by  their  contemporaries  with  the  liter- 
ature of  the  age  of  Trajan :  "  I  never  was  touched  with  a 
more  sensible  pleasure,"  says  Pliny,  in  one  of  his  beautiful 
Letters*  (which  rival  Cicero's  in  epistolary  ease  and  elegance), 
"than  by  an  account  which  I  lately  received  from  Cornelius 
Tacitus.  He  informed  me  that,  at  the  last  Circensian  Games, 
he  sat  next  a  stranger,  who,  after  much  discourse  on  various 
topics  of  learning,  asked  him  whether  he  was  an  Italian  or  a 
provincial.  Tacitus  replied,  '  Your  acquaintance  with  litera- 
ture must  have  informed  you  who  I  am.'  'Aye,'  said  the 
man,  '  is  it  then  Tacitus  or  Pliny  I  am  talking  with? '  I  can- 
not express  how  highly  I  am  pleased  to  find  that  our  names 
are  not  so  much  the  proper  appellations  of  individuals,  as  a 

*  Eleven  of  these  are  addressed  to  Tacitus,  and  two  or  three  are  written  ex- 
pressly for  the  purpose  of  furnishing  materials  for  his  history. 


LIFE  OF  TACITUS.  9 

designation  of  learning  itself  "  (Plin.  Epis.  ix.  23).  Critics 
are  not  agreed  to  which  of  these  two  literary  friends  belongs 
the  delicate  encomium  of  Quintilian,  when,  after  enumerating 
the  principal  writers  of  the  day,  he  adds,  "  There  is  another 
ornament  of  the  age,  who  will  deserve  the  admiration  of  pos- 
terity. I  do  not  mention  him  at  present ;  his  name  will  be 
known  hereafter."  Pliny,  Tacitus,  and  Quintilian  are  also 
rival  candidates  for  the  honor  of  having  written  the  Dialogue 
do  Claris  Oratoribus,  one  of  the  most  valuable  productions  in 
ancient  criticism. 

As  a  writer,  Tacitus  was  not  free  from  the  faults  of  his 
age.  The  native  simplicity  of  Greek  and  Latin  composition 
had  passed  away.  An  affected  point  and  an  artificial  brill- 
iancy were  substituted  in  their  place.  The  rhetoric  and  phi- 
losophy of  the  schools  had  infected  all  the  departments  of 
literature.  Simple  narrative  no  longer  suited  the  pampered 
taste  of  the  readers  or  tho  writers  of  history.  It  must  bo 
highly  seasoned  with  sentimentalisrn  and  moralizing,  with 
romance  and  poetry.  Tacitus,  certainly,  did  not  escape  the 
infection.  In  the  language  of  Macaulay :  "He  carries  his  love 
of  effect  far  beyond  the  limits  of  moderation.  He  tells  a  fine 
story  finely,  but  he  cannot  tell  a  plain  story  plainly.  He  stim- 
ulates, till  stimulants  lose  their  power."  *  We  have  taken 
occasion  in  the  notes  to  point  out  not  a  few  examples  of 
rhetorical  pomp  and  poetical  coloring,  and  even  needless 
multiplication  of  words,  where  plainness  and  precision  would 
have  been  much  better,  and  which  may  well  surprise  us  in  a 
writer  of  so  much  conciseness.  Lord  Monboddo,  in  a  very 
able,  though  somewhat  extravagant  critique  on  Tacitus,  has 
selected  numerous  instances  of  what  he  calls  the  ornamented 

*  Article  on  History,  Ed.  Kev.,  1828.    Also  in  Macaulay's  "  Miscellanies." 


10  LIFE  OF  TACITUS. 

dry  style,  many  of  which  are  so  concise,  so  rough,  and  so 
hroken  that  he  says  they  do  not  deserve  the  name  of  com- 
position, hut  seem  rather  like  the  raw  materials  of  history 
than  like  history  itself  (Orig.  and  Prog,  of  Lang.,  vol.  iii. 
chap.  12). 

Still,  few  readers  can  fail  to  pronounce  Tacitus,  as  Ma- 
caulay  affirms,  and  even  Lord  Monhoddo  admits  him  to  be, 
the  greatest  of  Latin  historians,  superior  to  Thucydides  him- 
self in  the  moral  painting  of  his  hest  narrative  scenes,  and  in 
the  delineation  of  character  without  a  rival  among  historians, 
•with  scarcely  a  superior  among  dramatists  and  novelists.  The 
common  style  of  his  narrative  is,  indeed,  wanting  in  sim- 
plicity, and  sometimes  in  perspicuity.  He  does  not  deal 
enough  in  the  specific  and  the  picturesque,  the  where,  the 
when,  and  the  how.  But,  when  his  subject  comes  up  to  the 
grandeur  of  his  conceptions,  and  the  strength  of  his  language, 
his  descriptions  are  graphic  and  powerful.  No  battle  scenes 
are  more  grand  and  terrific  than  those  of  Tacitus.  Military 
men  and  scholars  have  also  remarked  their  singular  correct- 
ness and  definiteness.  The  military  evolutions,  the  fierce 
encounter,  the  doubtful  struggle,  the  alternations  of  victory 
and  defeat,  the  disastrous  rout  and  hot  pursuit,  the  carnage 
and  blood,  are  set  forth  with  the  warrior's  accuracy  and  the 
poet's  fire  ;  while,  at  the  same  time,  the  conflicting  passions 
and  emotions  of  the  combatants  are  discerned,  as  it  were,  by 
the  eye  of  a  seer — their  hidden  springs  of  action,  and  the 
lowest  depths  of  their  hearts  laid  bare,  as  if  by  the  wand  of  a 
magician.  In  the  painting  of  large  groups,  in  the  moral  por- 
traiture of  vast  bodies  of  men  under  high  excitement  and  in 
strenuous  exertion,  we  think  that  Tacitus  far  surpasses  all 
other  historians.  Whether  it  be  a  field  of  battle  or  a  cap- 


LIFE  OF  TACITUS.  11 

tared  city,  a  frightened  senate  or  a  flattering  court,  a  mutiny 
or  a  mob,  that  he  describes,  we  not  only  see  in  a  clear  and 
strong  light  the  outward  actions,  but  we  look  into  the  hearts 
of  all  the  mixed  multitude,  and  gaze  with  wonder  on  the 
changing  emotions  and  conflicting  passions  by  which  they  are 
agitated. 

His  delineations  of  individual  character  are  also  marked 
by  the  same  profound  insight  into  the  human  soul.  Like  the 
old  Latin  Poet,  he  might  have  said, 

"  Homo  sum ;  nihil  humani  a  me  aliemun  puto." 

There  is  scarcely  a  landscape  picture  in  his  whole  gallery. 
It  is  full  of  portraits  of  men,  in  groups  and  as  individuals, 
every  grade  of  condition,  every  variety  of  character,  perform- 
ing all  kinds  of  actions,  exhibiting  every  human  passion,  the 
colors  laid  ou  with  a  bold  hand,  the  principal  features  pre- 
sented in  a  strong  light,  the  minuter  strokes  omitted,  the 
soft  and  delicate  finish  despised.  We  feel  that  we  have  gained 
not  a  little  insight  into  the  character  of  those  men,  who  are 
barely  introduced  in  the  extant  books  of  Tacitus,  but  whose 
history  is  given  in  the  books  that  are  lost.  Men  of  inferior 
rank  even,  who  appear  on  the  stage  only  for  a  short  time, 
develop  strongly  marked  characters,  which  are  drawn  with 
dramatic  distinctness  and  power,  while  yet  the  thread  of  his- 
tory is  never  broken,  the  dignity  of  history  never  sacrificed. 
And  those  Emperors,  whose  history  is  preserved  entire, — with 
them  we  feel  acquainted,  we  know  the  controlling  principles, 
as  well  as  the  leading  events  of  their  lives,  and  we  feel  sure 
that  we  could  predict  how  they  would  act  under  almost  any 
imaginable  circumstances. 

In  a  faithful  portraiture  of  the  private  and  public  life  of 


12  LIFE   OF  TACITUS. 

the  degenerate  Romans,  there  was  much  to  call  for  the  hand 
of  a  master  in  satire.  And  we  find  in  the  glowing  sketches 
of  our  author  all  the  vigor  and  point  of  a  Juvenal,  without 
his  vulgarity  and  obscenity;  all  the  burning  indignation 
which  the  Latin  is  so  peculiarly  capable  of  expressing,  with 
all  the  vigor  and  stateliness  by  which  the  same  language  is 
equally  characterized.  Tacitus  has  been  sometimes  repre- 
sented as  a  very  Diogenes,  for  carping  and  sarcasm — a  very 
Aristophanes,  to  blacken  character  with  ridicule  and  reproach. 
But  he  is  as  far  removed  from  the  cynic  or  the  buffoon  as 
from  the  panegyrist  or  the  flatterer.  He  is  not  the  indiscrim- 
inate admirer  that  Plutarch  was.  Nor  is  he  such  a  universal 
hater  as  Sallust.  It  is  the  fault  of  the  times  that  he  is  obliged 
to  deal  so  much  in  censure.  If  there  ever  were  perfect  mon- 
sters on  earth,  such  were  several  of  the  Roman  Emperors. 
Yet  Tacitus  describes  few,  if  any,  of  them  without  some  of  the 
traits  of  humanity.  He  gives  us  in  his  history  neither  demons 
nor  gods,  but  veritable  men  and  women.  In  this  respect,  as 
also  in  his  descriptions  of  battles,  Tacitus  is  decidedly  supe- 
rior to  Livy.  The  characters  of  Livy  are  distinguishable  only 
as  classes — the  good  all  very  good,  the  bad  very  bad,  the 
indifferent  very  indifferent.  You  discover  no  important 
difference  between  a  Fabius  and  a  Marcellus,  further  than 
it  lies  on  the  face  of  their  actions.  In  Tacitus,  the  char- 
acters are  all  individuals.  Each  stands  out  distinctly  from 
the  surrounding  multitude,  and  not  only  performs  his 
own  proper  actions,  but  is  governed  by  his  own  peculiar 
motives.  Livy  places  before  us  the  statues  of  heroes  and 
gods;  Tacitus  conducts  us  through  the  crowd  of  living 
men. 

In  an  attempt  to  sketch  the  most  striking  features  of  Taci- 


LIFE  OF  TACITTJS.  13 

tus,  as  a  writer,  no  critic  can  omit  to  mention  his  sage  and 
pithy  maxims.  Apothegms  abound  on  every  page — sagacious, 
truthful,  and  profound  in  sentiment,  in  style  concise,  anti- 
thetic and  sententious.  Doubtless  he  is  excessively  fond  of 
pointed  antithesis.  Perhaps  he  is  too  much  given  to  moral- 
izing and  reflection.  It  was,  as  we  have  said,  the  fault  of  his 
age.  But  no  one,  who  is  familiar  with  Seneca,  will  severely 
censure  Tacitus.  He  will  only  wonder  that  ho  should  have 
risen  so  far  above  the  faults  of  his  contemporaries.  Indeed, 
Tacitus  interweaves  his  reflections  with  so  much  propriety, 
and  clothes  his  apothegms  with  so  much  dignity — he  is  so 
manifestly  competent  to  instruct  the  world  by  maxims, 
whether  in  civil,  social,  or  individual  life,  that  we  are  far 
from  wishing  he  had  indulged  in  it  less.  His  reflections  do 
not  interrupt  the  thread  of  his  narrative.  They  grow  natur- 
ally out  of  his  incidents.  They  break  forth  spontaneously 
from  the  lips  of  his  men.  His  history  is  indeed  philosophy 
teaching  by  examples ;  and  his  pithy  sayings  are  truly  lessons 
of  wisdom,  embodied  in  the  form  most  likely  to  strike  the 
attention  and  impress  the  memory.  TVe  should  love  to  see 
a  collection  of  apothegms  from  the  pen  of  Tacitus.  It  would 
make  an  admirable  book  of  laconics.  No  book  would  give 
you  more  ideas  in  fewer  words.  Nowhere  could  you  gain  so 
much  knowledge,  and  lose  so  little  time.  The  reader  of  Taci- 
tns,  who  will  study  him  with  pen  in  hand,  to  mark  or  refer 
to  the  most  striking  passages,  will  soon  find  himself  master 
of  a  text-book  in  moral  and  political  science,  we  might  say  a 
text-book  in  human  nature,  singularly  concise  and  sententious, 
and  what  is  not  always  true  even  of  concise  and  sententious 
writers,  as  singularly  wise  and  profound.  In  such  a  book, 
many  of  the  speeches  would  find  a  place  entire ;  for  many  of 


14  LIFE  OF  TACITUS. 

them  are  little  else  than  a  series  of  condensed,  well-timed, 
and  most  instructive  apothegms.* 

But  the  scholar,  who  is  on  the  lookout,  will  find  lurking 
in  every  section,  and  almost  every  sentence,  some  important 
truth  in  morals,  in  politics,  in  the  individual  or  social  nature 
of  man.  Neither  the  editor  nor  the  teacher  can -be  expected 
to  develop  these  sentiments,  nor  even,  in  many  instances, 
to  point  them  out.  That  labor  must  be  performed  by  the 
scholar ;  and  his  will  be  the  reward. 

No  hasty  perusal,  no  single  reading  of  Tacitus,  will  give  a 
just  conception  of  the  surpassing  richness  of  his  works.  They 
must  be  studied  profoundly  to  be  duly  appreciated.  They  are 
a  mine  of  wisdom,  of  vast  extent  and  unknown  depth,  whose 
treasures  lie  chiefly  beneath  the  surface,  embedded  in  the 
solid  rock  which  must  be  entered  with  mining  implements, 
explored  with  strong  lights,  and  its  wealth  brought  up  by 
severe  toil  and  sweat. 

*  E.  g.,  the  speech  of  Galba  to  Fiso,  His.  i.  15, 16. 


O.   COKE".  TACITUS 


DE 


SITU,  MORIBUS   ET  POPULIS   GERMANIAE. 


BREVIARIUM  LIBELLI. 

CAP.  1.  Germaniae  situs :  2.  incolae  indigenae :  auctores  gen- 
tis :  nominis  origo :  Hercules.  3.  Baritus :  ara  Ulixis.  4. 
Germani,  gens  sincera:  habitus  corporum.  5.  Terrae  na- 
tura :  non  aurum,  non  argentum,  neo  aestimatum.  6.  Ger- 
maBorum  arma,  equitatus,  peditatus,  ordo  militiae :  7.  reges, 
duces,  sacerdotes :  8.  feminarum  virtus  et  veneratio :  Ve- 
leda :  Aurinia.  9.  dii,  sacra,  simulacra  nulla.  10.  Auspicia, 
sortes :  ex  equis,  e  captivo  praesagia.  11.  Consultationes 
publicae  et  conventus.  12.  Accusationes,  poenae,  jus  red- 
ditum.  13.  Scuto  frameaque  ornati  juvenes,  principum 
comites :  eorum  virtus  et  fama.  14.  Gentis  bellica  studia. 

15.  In  pace,  venatio,  otium :   collata  principibus  munera. 

16.  Urbes  nullae:  vici,  domus,  specus  suffugium  hiemi  et 
receptaculum  frugibus.    17.  Vestitus  hominum,  feminarum. 
18.  Matrirnonia  severa :  dos  a  marito  oblata.    19.  Pudicitia: 
adulterii  poena :    monogamia :    liberorum    numerns   non 
flnitus.      20.  Liberorum  educatio:  successionis  leges.     21. 
Patris,  propinqui,  amicitiae,  inimicitiaeque  susceptae:  liomi- 
cidii   pretium :    bospitalitas.      22.    Lotio,  victus,  cbriorum 
rixae :    consultatio   in   conviviis.      23.    Potus,  cibus.      24. 
Spectacula:   aleae  furor.     25.  Servi,  libertini.     20.  Fenus 
ignotum :  agricultura :   anni  tempora.    27.  Funera,  sepul- 
cra,  luctus. 


16  C.  CORN.  TACITUS 

28.  Singularum  gentium  instituta:  Galli,  olim  valida  gens, 
in  Germaniam  transgressi,  Helvetii,  Boii :  Aravisci,  Osi, 
incertum  genus :  Germanicae  originis  populi  Treveri,  Nervii, 
Vangiones,  Triboci,  Nemetes,  Ubii.  29.  Batavi,  Chattorum 
proles:  Mattiaci:  Decumatesagri.  30,31.  Ghattorum regio, 
habitus,  disciplina  militaris ;  vota,  virtutis  incentiva.  32. 
Usipi,  Tencteri,  equitatu  praestantes.  33.  Bructerorum 
sedes,  a  Cbamavis  et  Angrivariis  occupatae.  34.  Dulgub- 
nii:  Chasuarii:  Frisii.  35.  Chauci,  pacis  studio,  justitia, 
et  virtute  nobiles.  36.  Cberusci  et  Fosi,  a  Cbattis  victi. 
37.  Cimbrorum  parva  civitas,  gloria  ingens ;  Eomanorum 
clades :  Germani  triumphati  magis  quam  victi.  38.  Suevo- 
rum  numerus,  mores.  39.  Semnonum  religio,  victimao 
humanae.  40.  Longobardi:  JReudigni:  Aviones:  Angli: 
Varini:  Eudoses:  Suardones:  Nuithones:  Nerthao  cultus 
communis.  41.  Hermunduri.  42.  Varisti:  Marcomani: 
Quadi.  43.  Marsigni :  Gothini :  Osi :  Buri :  Lygiorum 
civitates,  Arii,  Helvecones,  Manimi,  Elysii,  Nahanarvali; 
horum  numen  Alcis :  Gotones :  Eugii :  Lemovii.  44.  Sui- 
ones,  classibus  valentes,  45.  Mare  pigrum :  Aestii,  Matris 
Deum  cultores,  succinum  legunt :  Sitonibus  f emina  imperat. 
46.  Peucini,  Venedi,  Fenni,  Germani,  an  Sarmatae?  Eorura 
f eritas,  paupertas :  Hominum  monstra,  Hellusii,  Oxiones. 

I.  GEKMANIA  omnis  a  Gallis  Rhaetisque  et  Panno- 
niis  Rheno  et  Danubio  fluminibus,  a  Sarmatis  Dacis- 
que  rautuo  metu  aut  montibus  separatur :  cetera 
Oceanus  ambit,  latos  sinus  et  insularum  immensa 
spatia  complectens,  nuper  cognitis  quibusdam  genti- 
bus  ac  regibus,  quos  bellura  aperuit.  Rhcnus,  Rliaeti- 
carum  Alpium  inaccesso  ac  praecipiti  vertice  ortus, 
modico  flexu  in  occidentem  versus,  septentricnali 
Oceano  miscetur.  Danubius,  molli  et  clementer  edito 
mentis  Abnobae  jugo  effusus,  plures  populos  adit, 
donee  in  Ponticum  mare  sex  meatibus  erumpat :  septi- 
mum  os  paludibus  Lauritur. 


DE  GERMANIA.  17 

II.  Ipsos  Germanos  indigenas  crediderim,  minime- 
que  aliarum  gentium  adventibus  et  hospitiis  mixtos  ; 
quia  nee  terra  olim,  sed  classibus  advehebantur,  qui 
mutare  sedes  quaerebant,  et  immensus  ultra,  utque  sic 
dixerim,  adversus  Oceanus  raris  ab  orbe  nostro  navi- 
bus  aditur.     Quis  porro,  praeter  periculum  horridi  et 
ignoti  maris,  Asia  aut  Africa  aut  Italia  relicta,  Ger- 
maniam  peteret,  informem  terris,  asperam  coelo,  tris- 
tem  cultu  aspectuque,  nisi  si  patria  sit?    Celebrant 
carminibus  antiquis  (quod  unum  apud  illos  memoriae 
et  annalium  genus  est)  Tuistonem  deum  terra  editum, 
et   filium    Mannum,    originem    gentis   conditoresque. 
Manno  tres  filios  assignant,  e  quorum  nominibus  proxi- 
mi  Oceano  Ingaevones,  medii  Hermiones,  ceteri  Istae- 
vones  vocentur.     Quidam  autem,  ut  in  licentia  vetus- 
tatis,  plures  deo  ortos  pluresque  gentis  appellationes, 
Marsos,    Gambrivios,    Suevos,   Yandalios,    affirmant ; 
eaque  vera  et  antiqua  nomina.     Ceterum  Germaniae 
vocabulum  recens  et  nuper  additum  ;   quoniam,  qui 
primi  Rhenum  transgress!  Gallos  expulerint,  ac  nunc 
Tungri,  tune  Germani  vocati  sint :  ita  nationis  nomen, 
non  gentis  evaluisse   paulatim,  ut  omnes  primum  a 
victore  ob  metum,  mox  a  seipsis ,  invento  nomine, Ger- 
mani vocarentur. 

III.  Fuisse  apud  eos  et  Herculem  memorant,  pri- 
mumque  omnium  virorum  fortium  ituri  in  proelia  ca- 
nunt.     Bunt  illis  haec  quoque  carmina,  quorum  relatu, 
quern  baritum  vocant,  accendunt  animos,  futuraeque 
pugnae  f  ortunam  ipso  cantu  augurantur  :  terrent  enim 
trepidantve,  prout  sonuit  acies.     Nee  tarn  voces  illae, 
quam  virtutis  concentus  videntur.     Affectatur  prae- 
cipue  asperitas  soni  et  fractum  murmur,  objectis  ad 
««  soHtis,  quo  plenior  et  gravior  vox  repercussu  intu- 


18  C.  CORN.  TACITUS 

mescat.  Ceterum  et  Ulixem  quidam  opinantur  longo 
illo  et  fabuloso  eiTore  in  hunc  Oceanum  delatum, 
adisse  Germaniae  terras,  Asciburgiumque,  quod  in 
ripa  Rheni  situm  hodieque  incolitur,  ab  illo  constitu- 
tum  nominatumque.  Aram  quin  etiam  TJlixi  conse- 
cratam,  adjecto  Laertae  patris  nomine,  eodem  loco 
olim  repertam,  monumentaque  et  tumulos  quosdam 
Graecis  litteris  inscriptos  in  confinio  Germaniae  Rhae- 
tiaeque  adhuc  exstare  :  quae  neque  conlirmare  argu- 
nientis,  neque  refellere  in  animo  est :  ex  ingenio  suo 
quisque  demat,  vel  addat  fidem. 

IV.  Ipse  eorum  opinionibus  accedo,  qui  Germaniae 
populos  nullis  aliis  aliarum  nationum  connubiis  infec- 
tos  propriam  et  sinceram  et  tantum  sui  similem  gen- 
tem  exstitisse  arbitrantur  :  unde  habitus  quoque  cor- 
porum,  quamquam  in  tanto  hominum  numero,  idem 
omnibus  ;  truces  et  caerulei  oculi,  rutilae  comae,  mag- 
na  corpora  et  tantum  ad  impetum  valida  ;    laboris 
atque  operum  non  eadem  patientia  :  minimeque  sitim 
aestumque  tolerare,  frigora  atque  inediam  coelo  solove 
assueverunt.    ^ 

V.  Terra,  etsi  aliquanto  specie  differt,  in  universum 
tamen  aut  silvis  horrida  aut  paludibus  foeda  :  humi- 
dior,  qua  Gallias  ;  ventosior,  qua  Noricum  ac  Panno- 
niam  aspicit :  satis  ferax  ;  frugiferarum  arborum  im- 
patiens  :  pecorum  fecunda,  sed  plerumque  improcera  ; 
ne  armentis  quidem  suus  honor,  aut  gloria  frontis  : 
numero  gaudent ;   eaeque  solae  et   gratissimae  opes 
sunt.     Argentum  et  aurum  propitii  an  irati  dii  nega- 
verint,  dubito.     Nee  tamen  affirmaverim,  nullam  GIT- 
maniae  venam  argentum  aurumve  gignere  :  quis  eniiu 
scrutatus  est  ?  possessione  ct  usu  liaud  perinde  afiici- 
untur.     Est  videre  apud  illos  argentea  vasa,  legatis  et 


DE  GERMANIA.  19 

principibus  eorum  muneri  data,  non  in  alia  vilitate, 
quam  quae  humo  finguntur ;  quamquam  proximi,  ob 
usum  commerciorum,  aurum  et  argentum  in  pretio 
habent,  formasque  quasdam  nostrae  pecuniae  agnos- 
cunt,  atque  eligunt :  interiores  simplicius  et  antiquius 
permutatione  mercium  utuntur.  Pecuniam  probant 
veterem  et  diu  notam,  serratos  bigatosque.  Argentum 
quoque  magis  quam  aurum  sequuntur,  nulla  affectione 
animi,  sed  quia  numerus  argenteorum  facilior  usui  est 
promiscua  ac  vilia  mercantibus.  / 

VI.  Ne  ferrum  quidem  super  est,  sicut  ex  gen  ere 
telorum  colligitur.  Rari  gladiis  aut  majoribus  lanceis 
utuntur  :  hastas,  vel  ipsorum  vocabulo  frameas^ge- 
r,unt,  angusto  et  brevi  ferro  sed  ita  acri  et  ad  usum 
habili,  ut  eodem  telo,  prout  ratio  poscit,  vel  cominus 
vel  eminus  pugnent  :  et  eques  quidem  scuto  fra- 
meaque  contentus  est  :  pedites  et  missilia  spargunt, 
plura  singuli,  atque  in  immensum  vibrant,  nudi  aut 
sagulo  leves.  x  Nulla  cultus  jactatio  ;  scuta  tantum 
lectissimis  coloribus  distinguunt  ;  paucis  loricae  :  vix 
uni  alterive  cassis  aut  galea.  Equi  non  forma,  non 
velocitate  conspicui  :  sed  nee  variare  gyros  in  morem 
nostrum  docentur.  In  rectum,  aut  uno  flexu  dextros 
agunt  ita  conjunct©  orbe,  ut  nemo  posterior  sit.  In 
universum  aestimanti,  plus  penes  peditwm  roboris  ; 
eoque  mixti  proeliantur,  apta  et  congruente  ad  eques- 
trem  pugnam  velocitate  peditum,  quos  ex  omni  juven- 
tute  delectos  ante  aciem  locant.  Definitur  et  nume- 
rus :  centeni  ex  singulis  pagis  sunt  ;  idque  ipsum  in- 
ter suos  vocantur  ;  et  quod  primo  numerus  fuit,  jam 
nomen  et  honor  est.  Acies  per  cuneos  componitur. 
Cedcre  loco,  dummodo  rursus  instes,  consilii  quam 
formidinis  arbitrantur.  Corpora  suorum  etiam  in 


20  C.  CORN.  TACITUS 

dubiis  proeliis  referunt.  Scutum  reliquisse,  praecipu- 
um  flagitium  ;  nee  aut  sacris  adesse,  aut  concilium 
inire,  ignominioso  fas  ;  ruultique  superstites  bellorum 
infamiam  laqueo  finierunt. 

VII.  Reges  ex  nobilitate,  duces  ex  virtute  sumunt. 
Nee  regibus  infinita  aut  libera  potestas  :  et  duces  ex- 
emplo  potius,  quam  imperio,  si  prompti,  si  conspicui, 
si  ante  aciem  agant,  admiratione  praesunt.  Ceterum 
neque  animadvertere  neque  vincire,  ne  verberare  qui- 
dem,  nisi  sacerdotibus  permissum  ;  non  quasi  in  poe- 
nam,  nee  ducis  jussu,  sed  velut  deo  imperante,  quern 
adesse  bellantibus  credunt :  effigiesque  et  signa  quae- 
dam,  detracta  lucis,  in  proelium  ferunt.  Quodque 
praecipuum  fortitudinis  incitamentum  est,  non  casus 
nee  fortuita  conglobatio  turmam  aut  cuneum  facit, 
sed  familiae  et  propinquitates,  et  in  proximo  pignora, 
unde  feminarum  ululatus  audiri,  unde  vagitus  infanti- 
um  :  hi  cuique  sanctissimi  testes,  hi  maximi  lauda- 
tores.  Ad  matres,  ad  conjuges  vulnera  ferunt ;  nee 
illae  numerare,  aut  exigere  plagas  pavent ;  cibosque 
et  hortamina  pugnantibus  gestant. 

YIII.  Memoriae  proditur,  quasdam  acies,  inclina- 
tas  jam  et  labantes,  a  feminis  restitutas,  constantia 
precum  et  objectu  pectorum  et  monstrata  cominus 
captivitate,  quam  longe  impatientius  feminarum  sua- 
rum  nomine  timent :  adeo  ut  efficacius  obligentur  animi 
civitatum,  quibus  inter  obsides  puellae  quoque  nobiles 
imperantur.f  Inesse  quin  etiam  sanctum  aliquid  et 
providum  putant  :  nee  aut  consilia  earum  aspernantur, 
aut  responsa  negligunt.  Vidimus  sub  divo  Vespa- 
siano  Veledam  diu  apud  plerosque  numinis  loco  habi- 
tam.  Sed  et  olim  Albrunam  et  complures  alias  venerati 
sunt  non  adulatione,  nee  tanquam  facerent  deas. 


DE  GERMANIA.  21 

IX.  Deorum  maxhne  Mercurium  colunt,  cui  certis 
cliebus  humanis  quoque  hostiis  litare  fas  habent.     Her- 
culem  ac  Martem  concessis  animalibus  placant :  pars 
Suevorum  et  Isidi  sacrificat.     Unde   causa  et   origo 
peregrine  sacro  parum  comperi,  nisi  quod  signum  ip- 
sum,  in  modum  liburnae  figuratum,  docet  advectam 
religionem.     Ceterum   nee   cohibere  parietibus   decs, 
neque   in  ullam  humani  oris  speciem  assimulare,  ex 
magnitudine  coelestium  arbitrantur  :  lucos  ac  nemora 
consecrant,  deorumque  nominibus  appellant  secretum 
illud,  quod  sola  reverentia  vident.    •j^' 

X.  Auspicia  sortesque,  ut  qui  maxime,  observant. 
Sortium  consuetude  simplex  :  virgam,  frugiferae  ar- 

,  bori  decisam,  in  surculos  amputant,  eosque,  notis  qui- 
busdam  discretes,  super  candidam  vestem  temere  ac 
fortuito  spargunt  :  mox,  si  publice  «onsuletur,  sacer- 
dos  civitatis,  sin  privatim,  ipse  paterfamiliae,  precatus 
deos  coelumque  suspicions,  ter  singulos  tollit,  sublatos 
secundum  impressam  ante  notam  interpretatur.  Si 
prohibuerunt,  nulla  de  eadem  re  in  eundem  diem  con- 
sultatio  ;  sin  permissum,  auspiciorum  adhuc  fides  exi- 
gitur.  Et  illud  quidem  etiam  hie  notum,  avium  voces 
volatusque  interrogare  :  proprium  gentis,  equorum 
quoque  praesagia  ac  monitus  experiri  ;  publice  aluntur 
iisdem  nemoribus  ac  lucis  candidi  et  nullo  mortali 
opere  contacti :  quos  presses  sacro  curru  sacerdos  ac 
rex  vel  princeps  civitatis  comitantur,  hinnitusque  ac 
fremitus  observant.  Nee  ulli  auspicio  major  fides 
non  solum  apud  plebem,  sed  apud  proceres,  apud 
sacerdotes  ;  se  enim  ministros  deorum,  illos  conscios 
•c,,y  putant.  Est  et  alia  observatio  auspiciorum,  qiia  gra- 
vium  bellorum  eventus  explorant  ;  ejus  gentis,  cum 
qua  bellum  est,  captivum,  quoquo  modo  interceptum, 


22  C.  CORN.  TACITUS 

cum  electo  popularium  suorum,  patriis  quemque  armis, 
committunt  :  victoria  hujus  vel  illius  pro  praejudicio 
accipitur. 

XI.  De  minoribus  rebus  principes  consultant  ;  de 
majoribus  omnes  :  ita  tamen,  ut  ea  quoque,  quorum 
penes  plebem  arbitrium  est,  apud  principes  pertrac- 
tentur.     Coeunt,  nisi  quid  fortuitum  et  subitum  inci- 
derit,  certis  diebus,  cum  aut  inchoatur  luna  aut  imple- 
tur  :  nam  agendis  rebus  hoc  auspicatissimum  initium 
credunt.     Nee  dierum  numerum,  ut  nos,  sed  noctium 
computant.     Sic  constituunt,  sic  condicunt  :  nox  du- 
cere  diem  videtur.     Illud  ex  libertate  vitium,  quod 
non  simul,  nee   ut  jussi  conveniunt,  sed  et  alter   et 
tertius   dies   cunctatione   coeuntium  absumitur.      Ut 
turbae  placuit,  considunt  armati.     Silentium  per  sacer- 
dotes,   quibus  turn   et   coercendi  jus  est,  imperatur. 
Mox  rex  vel  princeps,  prout  aetas  cuique,  prout  nobili- 
tas,  prout  decus  bellorum,  prout  facundia  est,  audiun- 
tur,  auctoritate  suadendi  magis,  quam  jubendi  potes- 
tate.     Si   displicuit   sententia,   fremitu    aspernantur ; 
sin  placuit,  frameas  concutiunt.     Honpratissimum  as- 
sensus  genus  est,  armis  laudare.     /  ' 

XII.  Licet  apud  concilium  accusare  quoque  ct  dis- 
crimen  capitis  intendere.     Distinctio  poenarum  ex  de- 
licto  :  proditores  et  transfugas  arboribus  suspendunt ; 
ignavos  et  imbelles  et  corpore  infames  coeno  ac  pa- 
lude,  injecta  insuper  crate,  mergunt.     Diversitas  sup- 
plicii  illuc  respicit,  tanquam  scelera  ostendi  oporteat, 
dum  puniuntur,  flagitia  abscondi.     Sed  et  levioribus 
delictis,  pro  modo  poenarum,   equorum  pecorumque 
numero  convicti  mulctantur  :  pars  mulctae   regi  vel 
civitati,  pars  ipsi,  qui  vindicatur,  vel  propinquis  ejus 
cxsolvitur.     Eliguntur  in  iisdem  conciliis  et  principes, 


DE   GERMAXIA.  23 

qui  jura  per  pagos  vicosqtie  reddunt.  Centeni  singulis 
ex  plebe  comites,  consilium  simul  et  auctoritas,  ad- 
sunt. 

XIII.  Nihil  atitem  neque  publicae  neque  privatae 
rei,  nisi  armati  agunt.     Sed  arma  sumere  non  ante 
cuiquam  moris,  quam  civitas  suffecturum  probaverit. 
Turn  in  ipso  concilio,  vel  principum  aliquis  vel  pater 
vel  propinquus  scuto  frameaque  juvenum  ornant :  haec 
apud  illos  toga,  hie  primus  juventae  honos  :  ante  hoc 
domus  pars  videntur,  mox  reipublicae.     Insignis  no- 
bilitas,  aut  magna  patrum  merita,  principis  dignatio- 
nem  etiani  adolescentulis  assignant :  ceteris  robustiori- 
bus  ac  jampridem  probatis  aggregantur ;  nee  rubor, 
inter  comites  aspici.     Gradus  quin  etiam  et  ipse  comi- 
tatus  habet  judicio  ejus,  quem  sectantur  :  magnaque 
et  comitum  aemulatio,  quibus  primus  apud  principem 
suum  locus,  et  principum,  cui  plurimi  et  acerrimi  comi- 
tes.    Haec  dignitas,  hae  vires,  magno  semper  electo- 
rum  juvenurn  globo  circumdari,  in  pace  decus,  in  bello 
praesidium.    Nee  solum  in  sua  gente  cuique,  sed  apud 
finitimas  quoque  civitates  id  nomen,  ea  gloria  est,  si 
numero    ac   virtute   comitatus   emineat  :    expetuntur 
enim  legationibus  et  muneribus  ornantur  et  ipsa  ple- 
rumque  fama  bella  profligant. 

XIV.  Cum  ventiim  in  aciem,  turpe  principi  virtute 
vinci,  turpe  comitatui,  virtutem  principis  non  adae- 
quare.     Jam.  vero  infame  in  omnem  vitam  ac  probro- 
sum,  superstitcm  principi  suo  ex  acie  recessisse.    Ilium 
defendere,  tueri,  sua  quoque  fortia  facta  gloriae  ejus 
assignare,   praecipuum   sacramentum   est.     Principes 
pro  victoria  pugnant  ;  comites  pro  principe.     Si  civi- 
tas, in  qua  orti  sunt,  longa  pace  et  otio  torpeat,  pleri- 
que  nobilium  adolescentium  petunt  ultro  eas  nationes, 


24  C.  CORN.  TACITUS 

quae  turn  bellum  aliquod  gerunt ;  quia  et  ingrata  genti 
quies,  et  facilius  inter  ancipitia  clarescunt,  magnurnque 
comitatum  non  nisi  vi  belloque  tuentur :  exigunt  enim 
principis  sui  liberalitate  ilium  bellatorem  equum,  illam 
cruentam  victricemque  frameam.  Nam  epulae  et,  quan- 
quam  incompti,  largi  tamen  apparatus  pro  stipendio 
cedunt :  materia  munificentiae  per  bella  et  raptus. 
Nee  arare  terrain,  aut  expectare  annum,  tarn  facile 
persuaseris,  quam  voeare  hostes  et  vulnera  mereri. 
Pigrum  quin  immo  et  iners  videtur,  sudore  acquirere, 
quod  possis  sanguine  parare.  \\ 

XV.  Quotiens  bella  non  ineunt,  non  multum  venati- 
bus,  plus  per  otium  transigunt,  dediti  somno  ciboque, 
f  ortissimus  quisque  ac  bellicosissimus  nib.il  agens,  dele- 
gata  domus  et  penatium  et  agrorum  cura  feminis  seni- 
busque  et  infirmissimo  cuique  ex  f  amilia  :  ipsi  hebent ; 
mira  diversitate  naturae,  cum  iidem  homines  sic  ameiit 
inertiam  et  oderint  quietem.    Mos  est  civitatibus  ultro 
ac  viritim  conf erre  principibus  vel  armentorum  vel  f ru- 
gum,  quod  pro  honore  acceptum  etiam  necessitatibus 
subvenit.      Gaudent   praecipue   finitimarum  gentium 
donis,  quae  non  modo  a  singulis  sed  publice  mittun- 
tur  :   electi  equi,  magna  arma,  phalerae,  torquesque. 
Jam  et  pecuniam  accipere  docuimus. 

XVI.  Nullas  Germanorum  populis  urbis  liabitari, 
satis  notum  est :  ne  pati  quidem.  inter  se  junctas  sedes. 
Colunt  discreti  ac  diversi,  ut  fons,  ut  campus,  ut  ne- 
mus  placuit.     Vicos  locant,  non  in  nostrum  morem, 
connexis  et  cohaerentibus   aedificiis  :    suam   quisque 
domum  spatio  circumdat,  sive  adversus  casus  ignis  re- 
medium,  sive  inscitia  aedificandi.     Ne  caementorum 
quidem  apud  illos   aut   tegularum  usus  :  matei'ia  ad 
omnia  utuntur  infonni  et  citra  speciem  aut  delecta- 


DE   GERMANIA.  25 

tionem.  Quaedam  loca  diligentius  illinunt  terra  ita 
pura  ac  splendente,  ut  picturam  ac  lineamenta  colorum 
imitetur.  Solent  et  subterraneos  specus  aperire,  eos- 
que  multo  insuper  fimo  onerant,  suffugium  hiemi  et 
receptaculum  frugibus  ;  quia  rigorem  frigorum  ejus- 
modi  locis  molliunt :  et,  si  quando  hostis  advenit,  aper- 
ta  populatur,  abdita  autem  et  defossa  aut  ignorantur, 
ant  eo  ipso  fallunt,  quod  quaerenda  sunt. 

XVII.  Tegumen  omnibus  sagum,  fibula,  aut,  si 
desit,  spina  consertura  :  cetera  intecti  totos  dies  juxta 
f  ocum  atque  ignem  agunt.  Locupletissimi  veste  dis- 
tinguuntur,  non  fluitante,  sicut  Sarmatae  ac  Parthi, 
sed  stricta  et  singulos  artus  exprimente.  Gerunt  et 
•ferarum  pelles,  proximi  ripae  negligenter,  ulteriores 
exquisitius,  ut  quibus  nullus  per  commercia  cultus. 
Eligunt  feras,  et  detracta  velamina  spargunt  maculis 
pellibusque  belluarum,  quas  exterior  Oceanus  atque 
ignotum  mare  gignit.  Nee  alius  feminis  quam  viris 
habitus,  nisi  quod  feminae  saepius  lineis  amictibus  ve- 
lantur,  eosque  purpura  variant,  partemque  vestitus  su- 
perioris  in  manicas  non  extendunt,  nudae  brachia  ac 
lacertos  :  sed  et  proxima  pars  pectoris  patet. 

XVni.  Quanquam  severa  illic  matrimonia ;  nee 
ullam  morum  partem  magis  laudaveris  :  nam  prope 
&oli  barbarorum  singulis  uxoribus  contenti  sunt,  ex- 
ceptis  admodum  paucis,  qui  non  libidine,  sed  ob  nobili- 
tatem,  plurimis  nuptiis  ambiuntur.  Dotem  non  uxor 
marito,  sed  uxori  maritus  offert.  Intersunt  parentes 
et  propinqui,  ac  munera  probant :  munera  non  ad  deli- 
cias  muliebree  quacsita,  nee  quibus  oova  nupta  coma- 
tur,  sed  boves  et  frenatum  equum  et  scutum  cum 
framea  gladioque.  In  haec  munera  uxor  accipitur ; 
atque  invicem  ipsa  annorum  aliquid  viro  affert :  hoc 


26  C.  CORN.  TACITUS 

maximum  vinculum,  haec  arcana  sacra,  hos  conjugates 
deos  arbitrantur.  Ne  se  mulier  extra  virtutum  cogi- 
tationes  extraque  bellorum  casus  putet,  ipsis  incipicntis 
matrimonii  auspiciis  admonetur,  venire  se  laborum 
periculorumque  sociam,  idem  in  pace,  idem  in  proelio 
passuram  ausuramque  :  hoc  juncti  boves,  hoc  paratus 
equus,  hoc  data  arma  denuntiant ;  sic  vivendum,  sic 
pereundum  :  accipere  se,  quae  liberis  inviolata  ac  dig- 
na  reddat,  quae  nurus  accipiant  rursus,  quae  ad  nepotcs 
referantur.  i\ 

XIX.  Ergo  septa^mdicitia  agunt,  nullis  spectacu- 
lorum  illecebris,  nullis  conviviorum  irritationibus  cor- 
ruptae.    Litterarum  secreta  viri  pariter  ac  feminae  ig- 
norant.   Paucissima  in  tarn  numerosa  gente  adulteria  ; 
quorum  poena  praesens  et  maritis  permissa.     Accisis 
crinibus,  nudatam,  coram  propinquis,  expellit   domo 
maritus,  ac  per  omnem  vicum  verbere  agit :  publicatae 
enim  pudicitiae  nulla  venia  :  non  forma,  non  aetate, 
non  opibus  maritum  invenerit.     Nemo  enim  illic  vitia 
ridet :  nee  corrumpere  et  corrumpi  saeculum  vocatur. 
Melius  qujdem  adhuc  eae  civitates,  in  quibus  tantum 
virgines  nubunt,  et  cum  spe  votoque  uxoris  semel  trans- 
igitur.    Sic  unum  accipiunt  maritum,  quo  modo  unum 
corpus  unamque  vitam,  ne  ulla  cogitatio  ultra,  ne  lon- 
gior   cupiditas,  ne  tanquam  maritum,   sed  tanquam 
matrimonium  ament.    Numerum  liberorum  fmire,  aut 
quenquam  ex  agnatis  necare,  flagitium  habetur ;  plus- 
quo  ibi  boni  mores  valent,  quam  alibi  bonae  leges. 

XX.  In  omni  domo  nudi  ac  sordidi,  in  hos  artus  iu 
haec  corpora,  quae  miramur,  excrescunt.    Sua  quemque 
mater  uberibus   alit,  nee  ancillis  ac  nutricibus  dele- 
gantur.     Dominum  ac  servum  nullis  educationis  de- 
liciis  dignoscas  :  inter  eadeni  pecora,  in  eadem  humo 


DE  GERMANIA.  27 

dcgunt ;  donee  aetas  separet  ingenues,  virtus  agnoscat. 
Sera  juvenum  Venus  ;  eoque  inexhausta  pubertas  :  nee 
virgines  festinantur  ;  eadem  juventa,  similis  proceritas: 
pares  validaeque  miscentur  ;  ac  re-bora  parentum  li- 
beri  ref erunt.  Sororum  filiis  idem  apud  avunculum, 
qui  ad  patrem  honor.  Quidam  sanctiorem  arctio- 
remque  liunc  nexum  sanguinis  arbitrantur,  et  in  accipi- 
cndis  obsidibus  magis  exigunt  ;  tanquam  et  in  animum 
firmius,  et  domum  latius  teneant.  Heredes  tamen  suc- 
cessoresque  sui  cuique  liberi :  et  nullam  testamentum. 
Si  liberi  non  sunt,  proximus  gradus  in  possessione  fra- 
tres,  patrui,  avunculi.  Quanto  plus  propinquorum, 
quo  major  affinium  numerus,  tanto  gratiosior  senectus, 

,  nee  ulla  orbitatis  pretia. 

XXL  Suseipere  tarn  inimicitias,  sou  patris,  seu 
propinqui,  quam  amicitias,  necesse  est :  nee  implaca- 
biles  durant.  Luitur  enim  etiam  homiciditim  certo 
armentorum  ac  pecorum  numero,  recipitque  satisfac- 
tionera  universa  domus  :  utiliter  in  publicum,  quia 
periculosiores  sunt  inimicitiae  juxta  libertatem.  Con- 
victibus  et  hospitiis  non  alia  gens  effusius  indulget. 
Quemcunque  mortalium  arcere  tecto,  nefas  liabetur  : 
pro  fortuna  quisque  apparatis  epulis  excipit.  Cum 
defecere,  qui  modo  hospes  f uerat,  monstrator  hospitii 
et  comes  :  proximam  domum  non  invitati  adeunt :  nee 
interest  ;  pari  humanitate  accipiuntur.  Notum  igno- 
tumque,  quantum  ad  jus  hospitis,  nemo  discernit. 
Abeunti,  si  quid  poposcerit,  concedere  moris :  et 
poscendi  invicem  eadem  facilitas.  Gaudent  muneri- 
bus  :  sed  nee  data  imputant,  nee  aceeptis  obligantur. 

j  Vietus  inter  hospitcs  coniis.1 

XXII.  Statim  c  sonano,  quern  plerumque  in  diem 
oxtrahunt,  lavantur,  saepitts  ealida,  ut  apud  quos  plu- 


28  0.  CORN.  TACITUS 

rimum  hiems  occupat.  Lauti  cibum  capiunt :  separa- 
tae  singulis  sedes  et  sua  cuique  mensa  :  turn  ad  nego- 
tia,  nee  minus  saepe  ad  convivia,  procedunt  armati. 
Diem  noctemque  continuare  potando,  nulli  probrum. 
Crebrae,  ut  inter  vinolentos,  rixae,  raro  conviciis, 
saepius  caede  et  vulneribus  transiguntur.  Sed  et  de 
reconciliandis  invicem  inimicis  et  jungendis  affinitati- 
bus  et  asciscendis  principibus,  de  pace  denique  ac 
bello  plerumque  in  conviviis  consultant :  tanquam 
nullo  magis  tempore  aut  ad  simplices  cogitationes 
pateat  animus,  aut  ad  magnas  incalescat.  Gens  non 
astuta  nee  callida  aperit  adhuc  secreta  pectoris  licen- 
tia  joci.  Ergo  detecta  et  nuda  omnium  mens  postera 
die  retractatur,  et  salva  utriusque  temporis  ratio  est : 
deliberant,  dum  fingere  nesciunt ;  constituunt,  dum 
errare  non  possunt.  1 1 

XXIII.  Potui  humor  ex  hordeo  aut  frumento,  in 
quandam  similitudinem  vini  corruptus.    Proximi  ripae 
et  vinum  mercantur.     Cibi  simplices  ;  agrestia  poma, 
recens  fera,  aut  lac  concretum.     Sine  apparatu,  sine 
blandimentis,  expellunt  famem.     Adversus  sitim  non 
eadem  temperantia.     Si  indulseris  ebrietati  suggeren- 
do   quantum  concupiscunt,  haud  minus  facile  vitiis 
quam  armis  vincentur. 

XXIV.  Genus  spectaculorum  unum  atque  in  omni 
coetu  idem.     Nudi  juvenes,  quibus  id  ludicrum  est, 
inter  gladios  se  atque  infestas  frameas  saltu  jaciunt. 
Exercitatio  artem  paravit,  ars  decorem  :  non  in  quaes- 
tum  tamen  aut  mercedem  ;  quamvis  audacis  lasciviae 
pretium  est  voluptas  spectantium.     Aleam,  quod  mi- 
rere,  sobrii  inter  seria  exercent  tanta  lucrandi  perden- 
dive  temeritate,  ut,  cum  omnia  defecerunt,  extreme 
ac  novissimo  jactu  de  libertate  ac  de  corpore  conten- 


DE  GERMANIA.  29 

dant.  Victus  voluntariam  servitutem  adit :  quamvis 
juvenior,  quamvis  robustior,  alligari  se  ac  venire  pati- 
tur  :  ea  est  in  re  prava  pervicacia  ;  ipsi  fidem  vocant. 
Servos  conditionis  hujus  per  commercia  tradunt,  ut  se 
quoque  pudore  victoriae  exsolvant. 

XXV.  Ceteris  servis,  non  in  nostrum  morem  de- 
scriptis    per    familiam    ministeriis,   utuntur.      Suam 
quisque   sedem,  suos  penates  regit.      Frumenti  mo- 
dum  dominus,  aut  pecoris  aut  vestis,  ut  colono,  injun- 
git :  et  servus  hactenus  paret ;  cetera  domus  officia 
nxor   ac  liberi   exsequuntur.      Verberare   servum  ac 
vinculis  et  opere  coercere   rarum.      Occidere  solent, 
non  disciplina  et  severitate,  sed  impetu  et  ira,  ut  inimi- 
cum,  nisi  quod  impune.     Liberti  non  multum  supra 
servos  sunt,  raro  aliquod  momentum  in  domo,  nun- 
quam  in   civitate  ;    exceptis   duntaxat    iis    gentibus 
quae  regnantur  :  ibi  enim  et  super  ingenuos  et  super 
nobiles  ascendunt :  apud  ceteros  impares  libertini  li- 
bertatis  argumentum  sunt. 

XXVI.  Fenus  agitare  et  in  usuras  extendere  igno- 
tum  :  ideoque  magis  servatur,  quam  si  vetitum  esset. 
Agri  pro  numero  cultorum  ab  universis  in  vices  occu- 
pantur,  quos  mox  inter  se  secundum  dignationem  par- 
tiuntur  :  facilitatem  partiendi  camporum  spatia  prae- 
stant.     Arva  per  annos  mutant :  et  superest  ager ;  nee 
enim  cum  ubertate  et  amplitudine  soli  labore  conten- 
dunt,  ut  pomaria  conserant  et  prata  separent  et  hor- 
tos  rigent :  sola  terrae  seges  imperatur.      Unde  an- 
num quoque  ipsum  non  in  totidem  digerunt  species  : 
hiems  et  ver  et  aestas  intellectum  ac  vocabula  habent ; 
autumni  perinde  nomen  ac  bona  ignorantur. 

XXVII.  Funerum  nulla  ambitio  ;  id  solum  obser- 
vatur,  ut  corpora  clarorum  virorum  certis  lignis  ere- 


30  C.  CORN.  TACITUS 

mentur.  Struem  rogi  nee  vestibus  nee  odoribus  cumu- 
lant :  sua  cuique  arma,  quorundam  igni  et  equus  adji- 
citur.  Sepulcrum  caespes  erigit ;  monumentorura 
arduum  et  operosum  honorem,  ut  gravem  defunctis, 
aspernantur.  .Lamenta  ac  lacrimas  cito,  dolorem  et 
tristitiam  tarde  ponunt.  Feminis  lugere  honestum 
est ;  viris  meminisse.  Haec  in  commune  de  omnium 
Germanorum  origine  ac  moribus  accepimus  :  mine 
singularum  gentium  instituta  ritusque,  quatcnus  dif- 
ferant,  quae  nationes  e  Germania  in  Gallias  commi- 
graverint,  expediam. 

XXVIII.  Validiores  olim  Gallorum  res  fuisse, 
summus  auctorum  divus  Julius  tradit :  eoque  credi- 
bile  est  etiam  Gallos  in  Germaniam  transgresses. 
Quantulum  enim  amnis  obstabat,  quo  minus,  ut  quae- 
que  gens  evaluerat,  occuparet  permutaretque  sedes 
promiscuas  adhuc  et  nulla  regnorum  potentia  divisas  ? 
Igitur  inter  Hercyniam  sylvam  Rhenumque  et  Moenuni 
arnnes  Helvetii,  ulteriora  Boii,  Gallica  utraque  gens, 
tenuere.  Manet  adhuc  Boihemi  nomen,  signatque 
loci  veterem  memoriam,  quamvis  mutatis  cultoribus. 
Sed  utrum  Aravisci  in  Pannoniam  ab  Osis,  Germano- 
rum natione,  an  Osi  ab  Araviscis  in  Germaniam  com- 
migraverint,  cum  eodem  adhuc  sermone,  institutis, 
moribus  utantur,  incertum  est :  quia,  pari  olim  inopia 
ac  libertate,  eadem  utriusque  ripae  bona  malaque  erant. 
Treveri  et  Nervii  circa  affectationem  Germanicae  ori- 
ginis  ultro  ambitiosi  sunt,  tanquam  per  hanc  gloriam 
sanguinis  a  similitudine  et  inertia  Gallorum  separen- 
tur.  Ipsam  Rheni  ripam  baud  dubie  Germanorum 
populi  colunt,  Vangiones,  Triboci,  Nemetes.  Ne  Ubii 
quidem,  quanquam  Romana  colonia  esse  meruerint  ac 
libentius  Agrippinenses  conditoris  sui  nomine  vocen- 


DE   GERMANIA.  31 

tur,  origine  erubescunt,  transgress!  olim  et  experi- 
mento  fidei  super  ipsam  Rheni  ripam  collocati,  ut 
arcerent,  non  ut  custodirentur. 

XXIX.  Omnium  harum  gentium  virtute  praecipui 
Batavi,  non  multum  ex  ripa,  sed  insulam  Rheni  amnis 
colunt,  Chattorum    quondam    populus    et    seditione 
domestica  in  eas  sedes  transgressus,  in  quibus  pars 
Romani  imperil  fierent.      Manet   honos  et   antiquae 
societatis   insigne  :   nam  nee  tributis   contemnuntur, 
nee  publicanus  atterit  :  exempti  oneribus  et  collationi- 
bus  et  tantum  in  usum  proeliorum  sepositi,  velut  tela 
atque  arma,  bellis  reservantur.    Est  in  eodem  obsequio 
et  Mattiacorum  gens  ;  protulit  enim  magnitudo  populi 
Romani  ultra  Rhenum,  ultraque  veteres  terminos,  im- 
perii  reverentiam.     Ita  sede  finibusque  in  sua  ripa, 
mente  animoque  nobiscum  agunt,  cetera  similes  Ba- 
tavis,  nisi  quod  ipso  adhuc  terrae  suae  solo  et  coelo 
acrius   animantur.     Non   numeraverim  inter  Germa- 
niae  populos,  quanquam  trans  Rhenum  Danubiumque 
consederint,  cos  qui  Decumates  agros  exercent.     Le- 
vissimus   quisque  Gallorum  et  inopia  audax  dubiae 
possessionis  solurn  occupavere.     Mox  limite  acto  pro- 
motisque  praesidiis,  sinus  imperii  et  pars  provinciae/7^ 
habentur. 

XXX.  Ultra  hos  Chatti  initium  sedis  ab  Hercynio 
saltu  inchoant,  non  ita  effusis  ac  palustribus  locis  ut 
ceterae  civitates,  in  quas  Germania  patescit  ;  durant 
siquidem  colics,  paulatim  rarescunt,  et  Chattos  suos 
saltus   Hercynius    prosequitur    simul   atque   deponit. 
Duriora  genti  corpora,  stricti  artus,  minax  vultus  et 
major    animi    vigor.      Multum,   ut   inter   Germanos, 
rationis    ac     solertiae  :    praeponere     electos,    audire 
praepositos,     nosse     ordines,    intelligere     occasiones, 


32  C.  CORN.  TACITUS 

differre  impetus,  disponere  diem,  vallare  noctem,  for- 
tunam  inter  dubia,  virtutem  inter  certa  numerare  : 
quodque  rarissimum  nee  nisi  ratione  disciplinae  con- 
cessum,  plus  reponere  in  duce,  quam  exercitu.  Omne 
robur  in  pedite,  quern,  super  arma,  ferramentis  quoque 
et  copiis  onerant.  Alios  ad  proelium  ire  videas,  Chat- 
tos  ad  bellum.  Rari  excursus  et  fortuita  pugna  ; 
equestrium  sane  virium  id  proprium,  cito  parare  victo- 
riam,  cito  cedere  :  velocitas  juxta  formidinem,  cuncta- 
tio  propior  constantiae  est. 

XXXI.  Et  aliis  Germanorum  populis  usurpatum 
rara  et  privata  cuj  usque  audentia  apud  Chattos  in 
consensum  vertit,  ut  primum  adoleverint,  crincm  bar- 
bamque    submittere,   nee,   nisi  hoste    cacso,    exuere 
votivum  obligatumque  virtuti  oris  habitum.     Super 
sanguinem  et    spolia    revelant    frontem,  seque  turn 
demum  pretia  nascendi  retulisse,  dignosque  patria  ac 
parentibus    ferunt.      Ignavis     et    imbellibus     manet 
squalor.     Fortissimus  quisque  ferreum  insuper  annu- 
lum  (ignominiosum  id  genti)  velut  vinculum  gestat, 
donee  se  caede  hostis  absolvat.     Plurimis  Chattorum 
hie  placet  habitus.     Jamque  canent  insignes,  et  hosti- 
bus   simul  suisque  monstrati.      Omnium  penes    hos 
initia  pugnarum  :  haec  prima  semper  acies,  visu  nova  ; 
nam  ne  in  pace  quidem  vultu  mitiore  mansuescunt. 
Nulli  domus  aut  ager  aut  aliqua  cura  :  prout  ad  quem- 
que  venere,  aluntur  :  prodigi  alieni,  contemptores  sui, 
donee  exsanguis  senectus  tarn  durae  virtuti  impares 
faciat. 

XXXII.  Proximi  Chattis  certum  jam  alvco  Rhe- 
num,  quique  terminus  esse  sufficiat,  Usipi  ac  Tencteri 
colunt.     Tencteri,  super  solitum  bellorurn  decus,  eques- 
tris  disciplinae  arte  praecellunt :  nee  major  apud  Chat- 


DE   GERMANIA.  33 

tos  peditum  laus,  quara  Tencteris  equitum.  Sic  in- 
stituere  raajores,  poster!  imitantur ;  hi  lusus  infan- 
tium,  haec  juvenum  aemulatio,  perseverant  senes  : 
inter  familiam  et  penates  et  jura  successionum  equi 
traduntur  ;  excipit  filius,  non,  ut  cetera,  maximus  natu, 
sed  prout  ferox  bello  et  melior. 

XXXIII.  Juxta  Tencteros  Bructeri  olim  occurre- 
bant :  nunc  Chamavos  et  Angrivarios  immigrasse  nar- 
ratur,  pulsis  Bructeris  ac  penitus  excisis  vicinarum 
consensu  nationum,  seu  superbiae  odio,  seu  praedae 
dulcedine,  seu  favore  quo-dam  erga  nos  deorum  :  nam 
ne  spectaculo  quidera  proelii  invidere  :  super  sexagin- 
ta  millia,  non  armis  telisque  Romanis,  sed,  quod  mag- 

,nificentius  est,  oblectationi  oculisque  ceciderunt.  Ma- 
neat,  quaeso,  duretque  gentibus,  si  non  amor  nostri, 
at  certe  odium  sui :  quando,  urgentibus  imperil  fatis, 
nibil  jam  praestare  fortuna  majus  potest,  quam  hos- 
tium  discordiam. 

XXXIV.  Angrivarios  et  Chamavos  a  tergo  Dul- 
gubnii  et  Chasuarii  cludunt  aliaeque  gentes,  baud  pe- 
rinde  memoratae.    A  fronte  Frisii  excipiunt.    Majori- 
bus  minoribusque  Frisiis  vocabulum  est  ex  modo  viri- 
um  :   utraeque   nationes   usque   ad   Oceanum   Rheno 
praetexuntur,  ambiuntque  immensos  insuper  lacus  et 
Romanis  classibus  navigatos.     Ipsum  quin  etiam  Oce- 
anum ilia  tentavimus  :  et  superesse  adhuc  Herculis  co- 
lumnas  fama  vulgavit  ;  sive  adiit  Hercules,  seu,  quic- 
quid  ubique  magnificum  est,  in  claritatem  ejus  referre 
consensimus.     Nee  def  uit  audentia  Druso  Germanico  : 
sed  obstitit  Oceanus  in  se  simul  atque  in  Herculem  in- 
quiri.     Mox  nemo  tentavit ;  sanctiusque  ac  reverentius 
visum,  de  actis  deorum  credere,  quam  scire. 

XXXV.  Hactenus  in  occide,ntem  Germaniam  novi- 


34  C.  CORN.  TACITUS 

mus.  In  septentrionem  ingenti  flexu  redit.  Ac  primo 
statim  Chaucorum  gens,  quanquam  incipiat  a  Frisiis 
ac  partem  littoris  occupet,  omnium,  quas  exposui, 
gentium  lateribus  obtenditur,  donee  in  Chattos  usque 
sinuetur.  Tam  immensum  terrarum  spatium  non  te- 
nent  tantum  Chauci,  sed  et  implent :  populus  inter 
Germanos  nobilissimus,  quique  magnitudinem  suam 
malit  justitia  tueri :  sine  cupiditate,  sine  impotentia, 
quieti  secretique,  nulla  provocant  bella,  nullis  rap- 
tibus  aut  latrociniis  populantur.  Id  praecipuum  i 
virtutis  ac  virium  argumentum  est,  quod,  ut  supe-  \ 
riores  agant,  non  per  injurias  assequuntur.  Prompta 
tamen  omnibus  arma,  si  res  poscat,  exercitus,  plu- 
rimum  virorum  equorumque  :  et  quiescentibus  eadem 
fama. 

XXXVI.  In    latere    Chaucorum    Chattorumque 
Cherusci  nimiam  ac  marcentem  diu  pacem  illacessiti 
nutrierunt ;  idque  jucundius,  quam  tutius,  fuit ;  quia 
inter  impotentes  et  validos  f also  quiescas  ;  ubi  manu 
agitur,  modestia  ac  probitas  nomina  superioris  sunt. 
Ita,  qui  olim  boni  aequique  Cherusci,  mine  inertes  ac 
stulti  vocantur  :  Chattis  victoribus  fortuna  in  sapien- 
tiam  cessit.     Tracti  ruina  Cheruscorum  et  Fosi,  con- 
termina  gens,  adversarum  rerum  ex  aequo  socii,  cum 
in  secundis  minorc-s  f  uissent. 

XXXVII.  Eundem  Germaniae  sinum  proximi  Oce- 
ano  Cimbri  tenent,  parva  nunc  civitas,  sed  gloria  in- 
gens  ;  veterisque  famae  lata  vestigia  manent,  utraque 
ripa  castra  ac  spatia,  quorum  ambitu  nunc  quoque  me- 
tiaris  molem  manusque  gentis  et  tarn  magni  exitus 
fidem.     Sexcentesimum  et  quadragesimum  annum  urbs 
nostra  agebat,  cum  primum  Cimbrorum  audita  sunt 
anna,  Caecilio  Metello  et  Papirio  Carbone  consulibus. 


DE   GERMANIA.  35 

Ex  quo  si  ad  alterum  Imperatoris  Trajani  consulatum 
computemus,  ducenti  ferme  et  decem  anni  colligun- 
tur ;  tamdiu  Germania  vincitur.  Medio  tam  longi 
aevi  spatio,  multa  invicem  damna  :  non  Samnis,  non 
Poeni,  non  Hispaniae  Galliaeve,  ne  Parthi  quidem 
saepius  admonuere  :  quippe  regno  Arsacis  acrior  est 
Germanorum  libertas.  Quid  enim  aliud  nobis,  quam 
caedem  Crassi,  amisso  et  ipse  Pacoro,  infra  Ventidium 
dejectus  Oriens  objecerit  ?  At  Germani,  Carbone  et 
Cassio  et  Scauro  Aurelio  et  Servilio  Caepione,  M.  quo- 
que  Manlio  fusis  vel  captis,  quinque  sitaul  consulares 
exercitus  Populo  Romano,  Varum  tresque  cum  eo  le- 
giones,  etiam  Caesari  abstulerunt :  nee  impune  C.  Ma- 
,rius  in  Italia,  divus  Julius  in  Gallia,  Drusus  ac  Nero 
et  Germanicus  in  suis  eos  sedibus  perculerunt.  Mox 
ingentes  C.  Caesaris  minae  in  ludibrium  versae.  Inde 
otium,  donee  occasione  discordiae  nostrae  et  civilium 
armorum,  expugnatis  legionum  hibernis,  etiam  Gallias 
affectavere  :  ac  rursus  pulsi,  inde  proximis  temporibus 
triurnphati  magis  quam  victi  sunt. 

XXXVIII.  Nunc  de  Suevis  dicendum  est,  quo- 
urn  non  una,  ut  Chattorum  Tencterorumve,  gens  :  ma- 
jorem  enim  Germaniae  partem  obtinent,  propriis  ad- 
huc  nationibus  nominibusque  discreti,  quanquam  in 
commune  Suevi  vocentur.  Insigne  gentis  obliquare 
crinem  nodoque  substringere  :  sic  Suevi  a  ceteris  Ger- 
manis,  sic  Suevorum  ingenui  a  servis  separantur  :  in 
aliis  gentibus,  seu  cognationc  aliqua  Suevorum,  seu 
quod  saepe  accidit,  imitatione,  rarum  et  intra  juventae 
spatium  ;  apud  Suevos,  usque  ad  canitiem,  horrentem 
capillum  retro  sequuntur,  ac  saepe  in  ipso  solo  vertice 
religant.  Principes  et  ornatiorem  habent :  ea  cura 
formae,  sedinnoxiae  :  neque  enim  ut  ament  amenturve; 


36  C.  CORN.  TACITUS 

in   altitudinem  quandam  et  terrorem,  adituri  bella, 
compti,  ut  hostium  oculis,  ornantur. 

XXXIX.  Vetustissimos  se  nobilissimosque  Sue- 
vorurn  Semnones  memorant.  Fides  antiquitatis  religi- 
one  firmatur.  Stato  tempore  in  silvam  auguriis  pa- 
trum  et  prisca  formidine  sacram,  oranes  ejusdem  san- 
guinis  populi  legationibus  coeunt,  caesoque  publice 
homine  celebrant  barbari  ritus  borrenda  primordia. 
Est  et  alia  luco  reverentia.  Nemo  nisi  vinculo  ligatus 
ingreditur,  ut  minor  et  potestatem  numinis  prae  se  fe- 
rens.  Si  forte  prolapsus  est,  attolli  et  insurgere  baud 
licitum  :  per  humum  evolvuntur  :  eoque  omnis  super- 
stitio  respicit,  tanquam  inde  initia  gentis,  ibi  regnator 
omnium  deus,  cetera  subjecta  atque  parentia.  Adjicit 
auctoritatem  fortuna  Semnonum  :  centum  pagis  babi- 
tantur  ;  magnoque  corpore  efficitur,  ut  se  Suevorum 
caput  credant. 

XL.  Contra  Langobardos  paucitas  nobilitat :  plu- 
rimis  ac  valentissimis  nationibus  cincti,  non  per  obse- 
quium,  sed  proeliis  et  periclitando  tuti  sunt.  Reudig- 
ni  deinde  et  Aviones  et  Anglii  et  Varini  et  Eudoses  et 
Suardones  et  Nuitbones  fluminibus  aut  silvis  muniun 
tur :  nee  quidquam  notabile  in  singulis  nisi  quod  in 
commune  Nertbum,  id  est  Terrain  matrem  colunt, 
eamque  intervenire  rebus  bominum,  invebi  populis  ar- 
bitrantur.  Est  in  insula  Oceani  castum  nemus,  dica- 
tumque  in  eo  vebiculum,  veste  contectum  :  attingere 
uni  sacerdoti  concessum.  Is  adesse  penetrali  deam  in- 
telligit,  vectamque  bubus  feminis  multa  cum  venera- 
tione  prosequitur.  Laeti  tune  dies,  festa  loca,  quae- 
cumque  adventu  bospitioque  dignatur.  Non  bella  in- 
eunt,  non  arma  sumunt ;  clausum  omne  ferrum  :  pax 
et  quies  tune  tantum  nota,  tune  tantum  amata,  donee 


DE  GERMANIA.  37 

idem  sacerdos  satiatam  conversatione  mortalium  deam 
templo  rcddat.  Mox  vehiculum  et  vestes,  et,  si  credere 
Velis,  numen  ipsum  secreto  lacu  abluitur.  Servi  mi- 
nistrant,  quos  statim  idem  lacus  haurit ;  arcanus  Line 
terror  sanctaque  ignorantia,  quid  sit  illud,  quod  tan- 
turn  perituri  vident. 

XLI.  Et  haec  quidem  pars  Suevorum  in  secretiora 
Germaniae  porrigitur.  Propior,  ut  quo  modo  paulo 
ante  Rhenum,  sic  nunc  Danubium  sequar,  Ilermun- 
durorum  civitas,  fida  Romanis,  eoque  solis  Ger- 
manorum  non  in  ripa  commercium,  sed  penitus,  atque 
in  splendidissima  Rhaetiae  provinciae  colonia.  Passim 
et  sine  custode  transeunt  :  et,  cum  ceteris  gcntibus 
>arma  modo  castraque  nostra  ostendamus,  his  domos 
villasque  patefecimus  non  concupiscentibus.  In  Her- 
munduris  Albis  oritur,  flumen  inclitum  et  notum  olim ; 
nunc  tantum  auditur. 

XLII.  Juxta  Hermunduros  Varisti,  ac  deinde  Mar- 
comani  et  Quadi  agunt.  Praecipua  Marcomanorum 
gloria  viresque,  atque  ipsa  etiam  sedes,  pulsis  olim 
Boiis,  virtute  parta.  Nee  Varisti  Quadive  degene- 
rant.  Eaque  Germaniae  velut  frons  est,  quatenus 
Danubio  peragitur.  Marcomanis  Quadisque  usque 
ad  nostram  memoriam  reges  manserunt  ex  gente 
ipsorum,  nobile  Marobodui  et  Tudri  genus  :  jam  et 
externos  patiuntur.  Sed  vis  et  potentia  regibus  ex 
auctoritate  Romana  :  raro  armis  nostris,  saepius  pecu- 
nia  juvantur,  nee  minus  valent. 

XLIII.  Retro  Marsigni,  Gothini,  Osi,  Buri,  terga 
Marcomanorum  Quadorumque  claudunt  :  e  quibus 
Marsigni  et  Burii  sermone  cultuque  Suevos  referunt. 
Gothinos  Gallica,  Osos  Pannonica  lingua  coarguit  non 
esse  Germanos,  et  quod  tributa  patiuntur.  Partem 


38  C.  CORN.  TACITUS 

tributorum  Sarmatac,  partera  Quadi,  ut  alienigenis, 
imponunt.  Gothini,  quo  magis  pudeat,  ct  ferrum 
cifodiunt.  Omnesque  hi  populi  pauca  campestrium, 
ceterum  saltus  et  "vertices  montium  jugumque  inse- 
derunt.  Dirimit  enim  scinditque  Sueviam  continuum 
montium  jugum,  ultra  quod  plurimae  gentes  agunt : 
ex  quibus  latissime  patet  Lygiorum  nomen  in  plures 
civitates  diffusum.  Valentissimas  nominasse  sufficict, 
Arios,  Helveconas,  Manimos,  Elysios,  Nahanarvalos. 
Apud  Nahanarvalos  antiquae  religionis  lucus  ostendi- 
tur.  Praesidet  sacerdos  muliebri  ornatu  :  sed  deos,  in- 
terpretatione  Romana,  Castorem  Pollucemque  memo- 
rant  :  ea  vis  numini  ;  nomen  Alcis.  Nulla  simulacra, 
nullum  peregrinae  superstitionis  vestigium  :  ut  fra- 
tres  tamen,  ut  juvenes,  venerantur.  Ceterum  Arii 
super  vires,  quibus  enumerates  paulo  ante  populos 
antecedunt,  truces,  insitae  feritati  arte  ac  tempore 
lenocinantur.  Nigra  scuta,  tincta  corpora  :  atras  ad 
proelia  noctes  legunt  ;  ipsaque  f  ormidine  atque  umbra 
feralis  exercitus  terrorem  inferunt,  nullo  hostium 
sustinente  novum  ac  velut  infernum  aspectum  :  nam 
primi  in  omnibus  proeliis  oculi  vincuntur.  Trans 
Lygios  Gothones  regnantur,  paulo  jam  adductius, 
quam  ceterae  Germanorum  gentes,  nondum  tamen 
supra  libertatem.  Protinus  deinde  ab  Oceano  Rugii 
et  Lemovii  :  omniumque  harum  gentium  insigne,  ro- 
tunda scuta,  breves  gladii,  et  erga  reges  obsequium. 

XLIV.  Suionum  hinc  civitates,  ipso  in  Oceano, 
praeter  viros  armaque  classibus  valent :  forma  navium 
eo  differt,  quod  utrimque  prora  paratam  semper  ap- 
pulsui  frontem  agit :  nee  velis  ministrantur,  nee  remos 
in  ordinem  lateribus  adjungunt.  Solutum,  ut  in  qui- 
busdam  fluminum,  et  mutabile,  ut  res  poscit,  hinc  vel 


DE   GERUANIA.  39 

illinc  remigiura.  Est  apud  illos  et  opibus  honos  ; 
eoque  unus  imperitat,  nullis  jam  exceptionibus,  non 
precario  jure  parendi.  Xec  arma,  ut  apud  ceteros 
Germanos,  in  promiscuo,  sed  clausa  sub  custode  et 
quidem  servo  :  quia  subitos  hostium  incursus  prohibet 
Oceanus,  otiosa  porro  armatorum  manus  facile  lasci- 
viunt ;  enimvero  neque  nobilem  neque  ingenuum,  ne 
libertinum  quidem,  armis  praeponere  regia  utilitas  est. 
XLV.  Trans  Suionas  aliud  mare,  pigrum  ac  prope 
immotum,  quo  cingi  cludique  terrarum  orbem  hinc 
fides,  quod  extremus  cadentis  jam  solis  fulgor  in  ortus 
edurat  adeo  clarus,  ut  sidera  hebetet ;  sonum  insuper 
audiri,  formasque  deorum  et  radios  capitis  aspici  per- 
.suasio  adjicit.  Illuc  usque,  et  fama  vera,  tantum  na- 
tura.  Ergo  jam  dextro  Suevici  maris  littore  Aestio- 
rum  gentes  alluuntur  :  quibus  ritus  habitusque  Suevo- 
rum  ;  lingua  Britannicae  propior.  Matrem  deum  ve- 
nerantur  :  insigne  superstitionis,  formas  aprorum  ges- 
tant  ;  id  pro  armis  omnique  tutela  :  securum  deae  cul- 
torem  etiam  inter  hostes  praestat.  Rarus  fern,  fre- 
quens  fustium  usus.  Frumenta  ceterosque  fructus 
patientius,  quam  pro  solita  Germanorum  inertia,  labo- 
rant.  Sed  et  mare  scrutantur  ac  soli  omnium  succi- 
num,  quod  ipsi  glesum  vocant,  inter  vada  atque  in 
ipso  littore  legunt.  Nee,  quae  natura  quaeve  ratio 
gignat,  ut  barbaris,  quaesitum  compertumve.  Diu 
quin  etiam  inter  cetera  ejectamenta  maris  jacebat, 
donee  luxuria  nostra  dedit  nomen  :  ipsis  in  nullo  usu  : 
rude  legitur,  informe  perfertur,  pretiumque  mirantes 
accipiunt.  Succum  tamen  arborum  esse  intelligas, 
quia  terrena  quaedam  atque  etiam  volucria  animalia 
plerumque  interlucent,  quae  implicata  humore,  mox, 
durescente  materia,  cluduntur.  Fecundiora  igitur  ne- 


40  0.  CORN.  TACITUS 

mora  lucosque,  sicut  Orientis  secretis,  ubi  thura  bal- 
\.  samaque  sudantur,  ita  Occidentis  insulis  terrisque  in- 
/  esse,  crediderim ;  quae  vicini  solis  radiis  expressa 

atque   liquentia   in  proximum  mare  labuntur,  ac  vi 

(tempestatum  in  adversa  littora  exundant.  Si  naturam 
succini  admoto  igne  tentes,  in  modum  taedae  accendi- 
tur,  alitque  flammam  pinguem  et  olentem  :  mox  ut  in 
picem  resinamve  lentescit.  Suionibus  Sitonum  gentes 
continuantur.  Cetera  similes,  uno  differunt,  quod  f  e- 
mina  dominatur  ^  in  tantum  non  modo  a  libertate,  sed 
etiam  a  servitute  degenerant.  ^ 

XLYI.  Hie  Sueviae  finis.  Peucinorum  Venedo- 
rumque  et  Fennorum  nationes  Germanis  an  Sarraatis 
ascribam,  dubito  :  quanquam  Peucini,  quos  quidam 
Bastarnas  vocant,  sermone,  cultu,  sede  ac  domiciliis, 
ut  Germani,  agunt.  Sordes  omnium  ac  torpor  proce- 
rum  :  connubiis  mixtis,  nonnihil  in  Sarmatarum  habi- 
tum  foedantur.  Venedi  multum  ex  moribus  traxe- 
runt.  Nam  quidquid  inter  Peucinos  Fennosque  silva- 
rum  ac  montium  erigitur,  latrociniis  pererrant.  Hi 
tamen  inter  Germanos  potius  referuntur,  quia  et  de- 
mos figunt  et  scuta  gestant  et  pedum  usu  ac  pernici- 
tate  gaudent ;  quae  omnia  diversa  Sarmatis  sunt,  in 
plaustro  equoque  viventibus.  Fennis  mira  feritas, 
foeda  paupertas  :  non  anna,  non  equi,  non  penates  : 
victui  herba,  vestitui  pelles,  cubile  humus  :  sola  in 
sagittis  spes,  quas,  inopia  f  erri,  ossibus  asperant.  Idem- 
quo  venatus  viros  pariter  ac  f  eminas  alit.  Passim  enim 
comitantur,  partemque  praedae  petunt.  Nee  aliud  in- 
fantibus  feraram  imbriumque  suffugium,  quam  ut  in 
aliquo  ramorum  nexu  contegantur  :  hue  redeunt  ju- 
venes,  hoc  senum  receptaculum.  Sed  beatius  arbi- 
trantur,  quam  ingemere  agris,  illaborare  domibus,  suas 


DE  GERMANIA.  41 

alienasque  f  ortunas  spe  metuque  versare.  Securi  ad- 
versus  homines,  securi  adversus  deos,  rera  difficillimam 
assecuti  sunt,  ut  illis  ne  voto  quidem  opus  esset. 
Cetera  jam  fabulosa  :  Hellusios  et  Oxionas  ora  homi- 
num  vultusque,  corpora  atque  artus  ferarum,  gerere  : 
quod  ego,  ut  incompertum,  in  medium  relinquam. 


CIST.  JULII  AGEIOOLAE 
YITA. 


BREVIARIUM. 

CAP.  1.  Scribendi  clarorum  virorum  vitam  mos  antiquus.  2. 
sub  mails  principibus  periculosus.  3.  sub  Trajano  in  hono- 
rem  Agricolae  repetitus  a  Tacito,  qui  non  eloquentiara,  at 
pietatem  pollicetur.  4.  Agricolae  stirps,  educatio,  studia. 
5.  Positis  in  Britannia  primis  castrorum  rudimentis.  6. 
uxorem  ducit :  fit  quaestor,  tribunus,  praetor :  recogno- 
scendis  templorum  donis  praefectus.  7.  Othoniano  bello 
matrem  partemque  patrimonii  amittit,  8.  In  Vcspasiani 
partes  transgressus,  legioni  vicesimae  in  Britannia  praeposi- 
tus,  alienae  famae  cura  promovet  suarn.  9.  Redux  inter 
patricios  ascitus  Aquitaniam  regit.  Consul  factus  Tacito 
filiam  despondet.  Britanniae  praeficitur. 

10.  Britanniae  descriptio.  Thule  cognita :  mare  pigrum.  11. 
Britannorum  origo,  habitus,  sacra,  sermo,  mores.  12.  mi- 
litia, regimen,  rarus  conventus :  coelum,  solum,  mctalla, 
margarita.  13.  Victae  gentis  ingenium.  Caesarum  in  Bri- 
tanniam  expeditiones.  14.  Consularium  legatorum  res 
gestae.  15.  Britanniae  rebellio.  1C.  Boudicea  duce  coepta, 
a  Suet.  Paullino  compressa.  Huic  succedunt  ignavi.  17. 
Rem  restituunt  Petilius  Cerialis  et  Julius  Frontinus ;  ]iic 
Silures,  ille  Brigantes  vincit;  18.  Agricola  Ordovices  et 
Monam.  Totam  provinciam  pacat,  et  19,  20.  moderatione, 
prudentia,  abstinentia,  aequitate  in  obsequio  retinet.  21. 
animosque  artibus  et  voluptatibus  raollit. 


AGRICOLA.  43 

22,  23.  Nova  expeditio  novas  gentes  aperit,  quao  praesidio 
firmantur.  Agricolae  candor  in  communicanda  gloria.  24. 
Consilium  de  occupanda  Hibernia.  25-27.  Oivitates  trans 
Bodotriam  sitae  explorantur.  Caledonii,  Eomanos  aggressi, 
consilio  ductuque  Agricolae  pulsi,  sacrifices  conspirationem 
civitatum  sanciunt.  28.  Usipiorum  cohors  miro  casu  Bri- 
tanniam  circumvecta.  Agricolae  filius  obit.  29.  Bellum 
Britanni  reparant  Calgaco  duce,  cujus.  30-32.  oratio  ad 
suos.  33,  34.  Romanos  quoque  hortatur  Agricola.  35-37. 
Atrox  et  cruentum  proelium.  38.  Penes  Eomanos  victoria. 
Agricola  Britanniam  circumvehi  praecipit. 

39.  Domitianus,  fronte  laetus,  pectore  anxius,  nuntium  vic- 
toriae  excipit.  40.  Honores  tamen  Agricolae  decerni  jubet, 
condito  odio,  donee  provincia  decedat  Agricola.  Is  redux 
modeste  agit.  41.  Periculum  ab  accusatoribus  et  laudatori- 

'  bus.  42.  Excusat  se,  ne  provinciam  sortiatur  proconsul. 
43.  Obit  non  sine  veneni  suspicione,  a  Domitiano  dati.  44. 
Ejus  aetas,  habitus,  honores,  opes.  45.  Mortis  opportunitas 
ante  Domitiani  atrocitates.  46.  Questus  auctoris  et  ex  vir- 
tute  solatia.  Fama  Agricolae  ad  posteros  transmissa. 

I.  CLAEOKUM  virorum  facta  moresque  posteris  tra- 
dere,  antiquitus  usitatum,  ne  nostris  quidem  tempori- 
bus  quanquam  incuriosa  suorum  aetas  omisit,  quotiens 
magna  aliqua  ac  nobilis  virtus  vicit  ac  supergressa  est 
vitium  parvis  magnisque  civitatibus  commune,  igno- 
rantiam  recti  et  invidiam.  Sed  apud  priores,  ut  agere 
digna  memoratu  pronum  magisque  in  aperto  erat,  ita 
celeberrimus  quisque  mgenio  ad  prodendam  virtutis 
memoriam,  sine  gratia  aut  ambitione,  bonae  tantum 
conscientiae  pretio  ducebatur.  Ac  plerique  suam  ipsi 
vitam  narrare  fiduciam  potius  morum,  quam  arrogan- 
tiam  arbitrati  sunt :  nee  id  Rutilio  et  Scauro  citra 
fidem  aut  obtrectationi  fuit :  adeo  virtutes  iisdem  tem- 

poribus  optime  aestimantur,  quibus  facillime  gignun- 
3 


44  C.  CORN.  TACITI 

tur.  At  nunc  narraturo  mihi  vitam  defunct!  hominis, 
venia  opus  fuit :  quam  non  petissem  incursaturus  tarn 
saeva  et  infesta  virtutibus  tempora. 
X  II.  Legimus,  cum  Aruleno  Rustico  Paetus  Thrasea, 
Herennio  Senecioni  Priscus  Helvidiua  laudati  essent, 
capitale  fuisse  :  neque  in  ipsos  modo  auctores,  sed  in 
libros  quoque  eorum  saevitum,  delegate  triumviris 
ministerio,  ut  monumenta  clarissimorum  ingeniorum 
in  comitio  ac  foro  urerentur.  ^'Scilicet  illo  igne  vocem 
populi  Romani  et  libertatem  senatus  et  conscientiam 
generis  humani  aboleri  arbitrabantur,  expulsis  insuper 
sapientiae  professoribus  atque  omni  bona  arte  in  ex- 
ilium  acta,  ne  quid  usquam  honestum  occurreret.  De- 
dimus  profecto  grande  patientiae  documentum :  et 
sicut  vetus  aetas  vidit,  quid  ultimum  in  libertate  esset ; 
ita  nos,  quid  in  servitute,  adempto  per  inquisitiones  et 
loquendi  audiendique  conmiercio.  Memoriam  quoque 
ipsam  cum  voce  perdidissemus,  si  tarn  in  nostra  potes- 
tate  esset  oblivisci,  quam  tacere. 

III.  Nunc  demum  redit  animus  :  et  quanquam  pri- 
mo  statim  beatissimi  saeculi  ortu  Nerva  Caesar  res 
olim  dissociabiles  miscuerit,  principatum  ac  liberta- 
tem, augeatque  qiiotidie  felicitatem  temporum  Nerva 
Trajanus,  nee  spem  modo  ac  votum  securitas  publica, 
sed  ipsius  voti  fiduciam  ac  robur  assumpserit ;  nattira 
tamen  infirmitatis  humanae  tardiora  sunt  remcrlia, 
quam  mala  ;  et,  ut  corpora  nostra  lente  augescunt,  cito 
exstinguuntur,  sic  ingenia  studiaque  oppresseris  f  acilius, 
quam  revocaveris.^~Subit  quippe  etiam  ipsius  inertiae 
dulcedo  :  et  invisa  primo  desidia  postremo  amatur. 
Quid,  si  per  quindecim  annos,  grande  mortalis  acvi 
spatium,  multi  fortuitis  casibus,  promptissimus  quisque 
saevitia  principis  interciderunt  ?  J  Pauci,  et,  ut  ita  dix- 


AGRICOLA.  45 

erim,lnon  modo  aliorum,  sed  etiam  nostri  superstites 
sumus,  exemptis  e  media  vita  tot  annis,  quibus  juvcnes 
ad  senectutem,  senes  prope  ad  ipsos  exactae  aetatis  ter- 
minos  per  silentium  venimus.  Non  tamen  pigcbit  vel 
incondita  ac  rudi  voce  memoriam  prioris  servitutis  ac 
testimonium  praesentium  bonorum  composuisse.  Hie 
interim  liber  honori  Agricolae  soceri  mei  destinatus, 
professioiie  pietatis  aut  laudatus  erit  aut  excusatus. 

j^IV.  CXAEUS  JULIUS  AGRICOLA,  veteri  et  illustri 
Forojuliensium  colonia  ortus,  utrumque  avum  procu- 
ratorem  Caesarum  habuit :  quae  equestris  nobilitas  est. 
Pater  Julius  Graecinus,  senatorii  ordinis,  studio  elo- 
quentiae  sapientiaeque  notus,  iisque  ipsis  virtutibus 
iram  Caii  Caesaris  meritus  :  namque  M.  Silanum  ac- 
cusare  jussus  et,  quia  abnuerat,  interfectus  est.  Mater 
Julia  Procilla  fuit,  rarae  castitatis  :  in  bujus  sinu  in- 
dulgentiaque  educatus,  per  omnem  bonestarum  artium 
cultum  pueritiam  adolescent  iamque  transegit.fArcebat 
eum  ab  illecebris  peccantium,  praeter  ipsius  bonam  in- 
tegramque  naturam,  quod  statim  parvulus  sedem  ac 
magistram  studiorum  Massiliam  habuit,  locum  Graeca 
comitate  et  provincial!  parsimonia  mixtum  ac  bene 
compositum.  "7  Memoria  teneo  solitum  ipsum  narrare, 
se  in  prima  juventa  studium  pbilosopbiae  acrius,  ultra 
quam  concessum  Romano  ac  senatori,  bausisse,  ni  pru- 
dentia  matris  incensum  ac  flagrantem  animum  coercu- 
isset.  Scilicet  sublime  et  erectum  ingenium  pulcbritu- 
dinem  ac  speciem  excelsae  magnaeque  gloriae  vebe- 
mentius,  quam  caute,  appetebat :  mox  mitigavit  ratio  et 
aetas  :  retinuitque,  quod  est  difficillimum,  ex  sapientia 
modum?}  ^  _^y 

V.  Prima  castrorum  rudimenta  in  Britannia  Sue- 
tonio  Paullino,  diligenti  ac  moderate  duci,  approbavit, 


46  C.  CORN.  TACITI 

electus,  quern  contubernio  aestimarct.  Nee  Agricola 
licenter  more  juvenum,  qui  militiam  in  lasciviam  ver- 
tunt,  neque  segniter  ad  voluptates  et  commeatus  titu- 
lum  tribunatus  et  inscitiam  retulit :  scd  noscere  pro- 
vinciam,  nosci  exercitui,  discere  a  peritis,  sequi  opti- 
mos,  nihil  appetere  jactatione,  nihil  ob  formjdinem. 
recusare,  simulque  et  anxius  et  intentus  agere.  LNon 
sane  alias  exercitatior  magisque  in  ambiguo  Britannia 
f  uit :  trucidati  veterani,  incensae  coloniae,  intercepti 
exercitus  ;  turn  de  salute,  mox  de  victoria,  certavere. 
Quae  cuncta,  etsi  consiliis  ductuque  alterius  agebantur 
ac  summa  rerum  et  recuperatae  provinciae  gloria  in 
ducera  cessit,  artem  et  usum  et  stiraulos  addidere  juve- 
ni :  intravitque  animum  militaris  gloriae  cupido  ingra- 
ta  temporibus,  quibus  sinistra  erga  eminentes  interpre- 
tatio,  nee  minus  periculum  ex  magna  fama,  quam  ex 
mala.  \v~r. 

VI.  Hinc  ad  capessendos  magistratus  in  urbem 
digressus,  Domitiam  Decidianam,  splendidis  natalibus 
ortam,  sibi  junxit  :  idque  matrimonium  ad  majora 
nitenti  decus  ac  robur  fuit :  vixeruntque  mira  concor- 
dia,  per  mutuam  caritatem  et  invicem  se  anteponendo  : 
nisi  quod  in  bona  uxore  tanto  major  laus,  quanto  in  ma- 
la plus  culpae  est.  Sors  quaesturae  provinciam  Asiam, 
proconsulem  Salvium  Titianum  dedit :  ^quorum  neutro 
corruptus  est  :^  quanquam  et  provincia  dives  ac  parata 
peccantibus,  et  proconsul  in  omnem  aviditatem  pronus, 
quantalibet  facilitate  redempturus  esset  mutuam  dis- 
simulationem  maliAjAuctus  est  ibi  filiaJin  subsidium. 
simul  et  solatium  ]  nam  filium  ante  gublatum  brevi 
amisit.  Mox  inter  quaesturam  ac  tribunal um  plebis  at- 
que  etiam  ipsum  tribunatus  annum  quiete  et  otio  trans- 
iit,  gnarus  sub  Nerone  temporum,  quibus  inertia  pro 


AGEICOLA.  47 

sapicntia  fuitr  Idem  praeturae  tenor  et  silentium  :  nee 
enim  jurisdictio  obvenerat  ;  ludos  et  inania  honoris 
medio  ration^s  atque  abundantiae  duxit,  uti  longe  a 
luxuria,  ita  famae  propior.  Turn  electus  a  Galba  ad 
dona  templorum  recognoscenda,  diligentissima  conqui- 
sitione  fecit,  ne  cujus  alterius  sacrilegium  respublica^ 


Neronis  sensisset. 

VII.  Sequens  annus  gravi  vulnere  animum  domum- 
qnc  ejus  afflixit  :  nam  classis  Othoniana,  licenter  vaga, 
dum  Intemelios  (Liguriae  pars  est)  hostiliter  popula- 
tur,   matrem  Agricolae   in  praediis    suis    interfecit  : 
praediaque  ipsa  et  magnam  patrimonii  partem  diripuit, 
quae  causa  caedis  fuerat.     Igitur  ad  solemnia  pietatis 
profectus  Agricola,  nuntio  aifectati  a  Vespasiano  im- 
peril deprehensus  ac  statim  in  partes  transgressus  est. 
Initia  principatus  ac  statum  urbis  Mucianus  regebat, 
juvene  admodum   Domitiano  et  ex  paterna  fortuna 
tantum  licentiam  usurp,ante.  /"Is  missum  ad  delectus 
agendos  Agricolam  integreque  ac  strenue  versatum, 
vicesimae  legioni,  tarde  ad  sacramentum  transgressae, 
praeposuit,  ubi  decessor  seditiose  agere  narrabatur  :/ 
quippe  legatis  quoque  consularibus  nimia  ac  formiao- 
losa   erat.      Nee  legatus   praetorius   ad   cohibendum 
poteus,  incertum,  suo  an  militum  ingenio  :  ita  succes- 
sor simul  et  ultor  electus,  rarissima  moderatione  maluit 
videri  invenisse  bonos,  quam  f  ecisse.  /^   -  /y 

VIII.  Praeerat  tune  Britanniae  Vettius  Bolanus 
placidius,  quam   feroci   provincia  dignum  est  :   tem- 
peravit  Agricola  vim  suam  ardoremque  compescuit,  ne 
incresceret  ;  peritus  obsequi  eruditusque  utilia  hones- 
tis  miscere.     Brevi  deinde  Britannia  consularem  Peti- 
lium  Cerialem  accepit.     Habuerunt  virtutes  spatium 

Q 

exemplorumr-rSed  primo   Cerialis   labores   niodo  et 


48  C.  CORN.  TACITI 

discrimina,   mox    et    gloriam    communicabat :    saepe^ 
parti  exercitus  in  experimentum,  aliquando  majoribus . 
copiis  ex  eventu  praefecit :  nee  Agricola  unquam  in 
suam  f  amam  gestis  exsultavit ;  ad  auctorem  et  ducem, 
ut  minister,  fortunam  referebat :  ita  virtute  in  obse- 
quendo,  verecundia  in  praedicando,  extra  invidiam, 
nee  extra  gloriam  erat. 

IX.  Revertentem  ab  legatione  legionis  divus  Ves- 
pasianus  inter  patricios  ascivit,  ac  deinde  provinciae 
Aquitaniae  praeposuit,  splendidae  in  primis  dignitatis 
administratione  ac  spe  consulatus,  cui  destinarat. 
Credunt  plerique  militaribus  ingeniis  subtilitatem  dc- 
esse,  quia  castrensis  jurisdictio  sepura  et  obtusior  ac 
plura  manu  agens  calliditatem  fori  non  exerccat. 
Agricola  naturali  prudentia,  quamvis  inter  togatos, 
facile  justeque  agebat.^"  Jam  vero  tenipora  curarum 
remissionumque  divisa  :  ubi  conventus  ac  judicia  pos- 
cerent,  gravis,  intentus,  severus,  et  saepius  miscricors  ; 
ubi  oflicio  satisfactum,  nulla  ultra  potestatis  persona  ^ 
tristitiam  et  arrogantiam  et  avaritiam  exuerat -t-^ree 
illi,  quod  est  rarissimum,  aut  facilitas  auctoritatem  aut 
severitas  amorem  deminuit.  Intcgritatem  atque  abs- 
tinentiam  in  tanto  viro  referre,  injuria  virtutum  fue- 
rit.  Ne  famam  quidem,  cui  etiam  saepe  boni  indul- 
gent, ostentanda  virtute,  aut  per  artem  quacsivit  : 
procul  ab  aemulatione  adversus  colle"gas,  procul  a  con-, 
tentione  adversus  procuratores,  et  vincere  inglorium, 
et  atteri  sordidum  arbitrabatur.  Minus  trienniuru  in 
ea  legatione  detentus  ac  statim  ad  spem  consulatus 
revocatus  est,  comitante  opinione  Britanniam  ei  pro- 
vinciam  dari,  nullis  in  hoc  suis  sermonibus  sed  quia  par 
videbatur^Haud  semper  errat  f ama,  aliquando  et  ek'git. 
C'Onsul  egregiae  turn  spei  liliam  juveni  milii  despondit 


AGRICOLA.  49 

ac  post  Consulatum  collocavit,  et  statim  Britanniae 
.  .  «  —  / ' 

praepositus  est,  adjecto  pontincatus  sacerdotio. 

X.  Britanniae  situm  populosque,  multis  scriptori- 
bus  memoratos/hon(m  comparationem  curae  ingeniive) 
ref eram  ;  sed  quia  turn  primum  perdomita  est.  /  Ita 
quae  priores  nondum  conyperta  eloquentia  percoluere, 
rerum  fide  tradentur.  Britannia,  insularum  quas 
xRomana  notitia  complectitur,  maxima,  spatio  ac  coelo 
in  orientem  Germaniae,  in  occidentem  Hispaniae  ob- 
tenditur  :  Gallis  in  meridiem  etiam  inspicitur  :  sep- 
temtrionalia  ejus,  nullis  contra  terris,  vasto  atque 
aperto  mari  pulsantur.  Formam  totius  Britanniae 
Livius  veterum,  Fabius  Rusticus  recentium  eloquen- 
tissimi  aucto'res,  oblongae  scutulae  vel  bipenni  assimu- 
lavere  :  et  est  ea  facies  citra  Caledoniam,  unde  et  in 
universum  fama  est  transgressa  :  sed  immensum  et 
enorme  spatium  procurrentium  extremo  jam  littore 
terrarum,  velut  in  cuneum  tcnuatur.  Ilanc  orani " 
novissimi  maris  tune  primum  Romana  classis  circum- 
vecta  insulam  esse  Britanniam  affirmavit,  ac  simul 
incognitas  ad  id  tempus  insulas,  quas  Orcadas  vocant, 
invenit  domuitque.  MDispecta  est  et  Thule,  nam  hac- 
tenus  jussum,  et  hiems  appetebat ;  sed  mare  pigrum 
et  grave  remigantibus  ;  perhibent  ne  ventis  quidem 
perinde  attolli :  credo,  quod  rariorcs  terrae  montes- 
quc,  causa  ac  materia  tempestatum,  et  profunda  moles 
continui  maris  tardias  impcllitur^-Naturam  Oceani 
atque  aestus  neque  quaerere  hujus  operis  est,  ac  multi 
retulere  ;  unum  addideriin  :  nusquam  latius  dominari 
mare,  multum  fluminum  hue  atque  illuc  ferre,  nee  lit- 
tore tenus  accresccre  aut  resorbcri,  sed  influere  p'enitus 
atque  ambire,  et  jugis  etiam  atque  montibus  inseri 
velut  in  suo. 


50  C.  CORN.  TACITI 

\  < 

XL  CeteriyDtn  Britanniam  qui  mortaies  initio  colue- 
rint,  indigenae  an  advecti,  ut  inter  barbaros,  parum 
compertum.      Habitus  co'rporum  yarii :   atque  ex  eo 
argumenta  ;  namque  rutilae  Caledoniam  habitantium 
comae,  magni  artus,  Germanicam  originem  asseverant. 
Silurum  colorati  vultus  et  torti  plerumque  crines  et 
posita  contra  Hispania  Iberos  veteres  trajecisse  casque 
sedes   occupasse  fidem   faciunt.      Proximi   Gallis   et 
similes  sunt ;  sen  durante  originis  vi,  seu,  procurrenti- 
bus  in  diversa  terris,  pqsitip  coeli  corporibus  habit  am 
dedit :  in  universum  tamen  aestimanti,  Gallos  vicinam 
insulam  occupasse  credibile  est.     Eorum  sacra  depre- 
hendas  superstitionum  persuasione  :  sermo  haud  mul- 
tum  diversus  ;  in  deposcendis  periculis  eadem  audacia 
et,  ubi  advenere,  in  detrectandis  eadem  f  ormido  J)  Plus 
tamen  ferociae  Britanni  praeferunt,  ut  quos  nondum 
longa  pax  emollierit :   nam  Gallos  quoque  in  bellis 
floruisse  accepimns  ;  mox  segnitia  cum  otio  intravit, 
amissa  virtute  pariter  ac  libertate  ;  quod  Britannorum 
plim-vintis  evenit :  ceteri  manent,  quales  Galli  fuerunt. 
XII.  In  pedite  robur  ;  quaedam  nationes  et  curru 
proeliantur :    honestior   auriga,   clientes   propugnant. 
Olim  regibus  parebant,  mine  per  principes  factionibus 
et  studiis  trahuntur  :  nee  aliud  adversus  validissimas\ 
gentes  pro  nobis  utilius,  quam  quod  in  commune  non 
consulunt.     Ranis  duabus  tribusve  civitatibus  ad  pro- 
pulsandum  commune  periculum  conventiis  :  ita,  dum 
singuli  pugnant,  universi  vincuntur.     Coelum  crebris 
imbribus  ac  nebulis  foedum  :  asperitas  frigorum  abest. 
Dierum  spatia  ultra  nostri  orbis  mensuram,  et  nox 
clara  et  extrema  JJJritanniae  parte  brevis,  ut  finem 
atque   initium   lucis    exiguo   discrimine    ijrternoscas. 
Quod  si  nubes  non  officiant,  aspici  per  noctem  soli.s 


AGRICOLA.  51 

fulgorogij  nee  occidere  et  exsurgere,  sed  transire  affir- 
mant.lSi Scilicet  extrema  et  plana  terrarum,  humili  um- 
bra, non  erigunt  tenebras,  infraque  coelum  et  sidera 
nox  cadit.  Solum,  pfaeter  oleam  vitemque  et  cetera 
calidioribus  terris  oriri  sueta,  patiens  frugum,  fecun- 
dum.  Tarde  mitescunt,  cito  proveniunt :  eadem  utri- 
usque  rei  causa,  multus  humor  terrarum  coelique. 
Fert  Britannia  aurum  et  argentum  et  alia  metalla, 
pretium  victoriae  :  gignit  et  Oceanus  margarita,  sed 
subfusca  ac  liventia.  Quidam  artem  abesse  legentibus^ 
arbitrantur  :  nam  in  Rubro  mari  viva  ac  spirantia 
saxis  avelli,  in  Britannia,  prout  expulsa  sirit,  colligi : 
ego  facilius  crediderim  naturam  margaritis  deesse, 
quam  nobis  avaritiam. 

inXm.  Ipsi  Britaimi  delectum  ac  tributa  et  injuncta 
imperil  inunera  impigre  obeunt,  si  injuriae  absint :  has 
aegre  tolerant,  jam  domiti  ut  pareant,  noudum  ut 
serviant.  Igitur  primus  omnium  Romanorum  divus 
Julius  cum  exercitu  Britanniam  ingressus,  quanquam 
pi'ospera  pugna  terruerit  incolas  ac  littore  potitus  sit, 
potest  videri  ostendisse  posteris,  non  tradidisse.  Mox 
bella  civilia  et  in  rempublicam  versa  principum  anna, 
ac  longa  oblivio  Britanniae  etiam  in  pace.  Consilium 
id  divus  Augustus  vocabat,  Tiberius  praeceptum. 
Agitasse  C.  Caesarem  de  intranda  Britannia  satis  con- 
stat,  ni  velox  ingenio,  mobilis  poenitentiae,  et  ingen- 
tes  adversus  Gerrnaniam  conatus  frustra  fuissent.  Di- 
vus Claudius  auctor  operis,  trans vectis  legionibus  aux- 
iliisque  et  assumpto  in  partem  rerum  Vespasiano  : 
quod  initium  venturae  mox  fortunae  fuit  ;  domitae 
gentes,  capti  reges,  et  monstratus  fatis  Vespasianus. 

XIV.  Cojisulflrinm   primus  Aulus   Plautius   prae- 
positus,  ac  subinde  Ostorius   Scapula,  uterque   bello 


52  C.  CORN.  TACITI 


egregiusq  redactaque  paulatim  in  f ormam  provinciae 
proxima  pars  Britanniae  ;  addita  insuper  veteranorum 
colonia  :  quaedain  civitates  Cogiduno  regi  donatae  (is 
ad  nostram  usque  memoriam  fidissimus  mansit)  ut 
vetere  ac  jam  pridem  recepta  populi  Romani  consue- 
tudine,  haberet  instrumenta  servitutis  et  reges.  Mox 
/Didius  Gallus  parta  a  prioribus  continuit,  paucis  ad- 
\modum  castellis  in  ulteriora  promotis,  per  quae  fama 
aucti  officii  quaereretur.  Didium  Veranius  excepit, 
isque  intra  annum  exstinctus  est.  Suetonius  Line 
Paullinus  biennio  prosperas  res  habuit,  subactis  na- 
tionibus  firmatisque  praesidiis  :  quorum  fiducia  Mo- 
nam  insulam,  ut  vires  rebellibus  ministrantern,  aggres- 
sus,  terga  occasioni  patefecit. 

XV.  Namque  absentia  legati  remote  metu,  Bri- 
tanni  agitare  inter  se  mala  servitutis,  conferre  injurias 
et  interpretando  accendere  :  nihil  profici  patientia, 
nisi  ut  gpaviora,  tanquam  ex  facili  tolerantibus,  im- 
perentur  xfslngulos  sibi  olim  reges  fuisse,  nunc  binos 
imponi  :  e  quibus  legatus  in  sanguinem,  procurator  in 
bona  saeviret.  Aeque  discordiam  praepositorum,  aeque 
concordiam,  subjectis  exitiosam  :  alterius  manus  cen- 
turiones,  alterius  servos  vim  et  contumelias  misccrc. 
Nihil  jam  cupiditati,  nihil  libidini  exceptum  :  in  proe- 
lio  fortiorem  esse,  qui  spoliet ;  nunc  ab  ignavis  ple- 
rumque  et  imbellibus  eripi  domos,  abstrahi  liberos, 
injungi  delectus,  tanquam  mori  tantum  pro  patria 
nescientibus  ^quantulum  cnim  transisse  militum,  si 
sese  Britanni  numerent  ?  sic  Germanias  excus>isse 
jugum  ;  et  flumine,  non  Oceano,  defendi  :  sibi  pa- 
triam,  conjuges,  parentes,  illis  avaritiam  ct  luxnrimn 
causas  belli  esse.  Recessuros,  ut  divus  Julius  reces- 
sisset,  modo  virtutes  ma  jorum  suorum  aemularentur. 


AGKICOLA.  53 

Neve  proelii  unius  aut  alterius  eventu  pavescerent  : 
plus  impetus,  majorem  constantiam,  penes  miseros 
esse.  Jam  Britannorum  etiam  decs  misereri,  qui  Ro- 
manum  ducem  absentem,  qui  relegatum  in  alia  insula 
exercitum  detinerent  :  jam  ipsos,  quod  difficillimum 
fuerit,  deliberare  :  porro  in  ejusmodi  consiliis  pericu- 
losius  esse  deprehendi,  quarn  audere. 

XVI.  His  atque  talibus  invicejn  instincti,  Boudi- 
cea,  generis  regii  femina,  duce  (neque  enim  sexum  in 
imperiis  discernunt)  sumpsere  universi  bellum  :  ac 
sparsos  per  castella  milites  consectati,  expiignatis  prae- 
sidiis,  ipsam  coloniam  invasere,  "ut  sedem  servitutis  : 

nee  ullum  in  barbaris  saevitiae  genus  omisit  ira  et  vic- 

<-/Lf^"  .  . 

toriaJ-^Quod  nisi  Paullinus,  cognito  provinciae  motu, 

propere  subvenisset,  amissa  Britannia  fojet  :  quam 
unius  proelii  fortuna  veteri  patientiae  restituit,  tenen- 
tibus  arma  plerisque,  quos  conscientia  defectionis  et 
propius  ex  legato  timor  agitabat,  ne,  quanquam  egre- 
gius  cetera,  arroganter  in  deditos  et,  ut  suae  quoque 
injuriae  ultor,  durius  consuleret.  Missus  igitur  Pe- 
tronius  Turpilianus,  tanquam  exorabilior  :  et  delictis 
liostium  novus,  eoque  poenitentiae  mitior,  compositis 
prioribus,  nikil  ultra  ausus,  Trebellio  Maximo  provin- 
ciam  tradidit. .  Trebellius  segnior,  et  nullis  castroram 
experimentis,  comitate  quadam  curandi  provinciam 
tciniit.  Didicere  jam  barbari  quoque  ignoscere  vitiis 
blandientibus  :  et  interventus  civilium  armorum  prae- 
buit  justam  segnitiae  excusationem  ;  sed  discordia  la- 
boratum,  cum  assuetus  expeditionibus  miles  otio  la.sci- 
viret.  Trebellius,  fuga  ac  latebris  vitata  exercitus  ira, 
indecorus  atque  kumilis,  precario  mox  praefuit  :  ac 
velut  pacti,  exercitus  licentiam,  dux  salutem  ;  et  sedi- 
tio  sine  sanguine  stetit.  Nee  Vettius  Bolauus,  manen- 


54  C.  CORN.  TACITI 

tibus  adhuc  civilibus  bellis,  agitavit  Britanniam  clisci- 
plina  ;  eadeni  inertia  erga  hostes,  similis  petulantia 
castrorum  :  jhisi  quod  innocens  Bolanus  et  nullis  delic- 
tis  invisus,  caritatem  paraverat  loco  auctoritatis. 

XVII.  Sed,  ubi  cum  ceterb  orbe  Vespasianus  et 
Britanniam  recuperavit,  magni  duces,  egregii  excrci- 
tus,  minuta  hostium  spes.  Et  terrorem  statim  intulit 
Petilius  Cerialis,  Brigantum  civitatem,  quae  numero- 
sissima  provinciae  totius  perhibetur,  aggressus.  Multa 
proelia,  et  aliquando  non  incruenta  :  magnamque 
Brigantum  partem  aut  victoria  amplexus  est  aut  be 
Et,  cum  Cerialis  quidem  alterius  successoris  cura 
famamque  obruisset,  sustinuit  quoque  mdlem  Julius 
Frontinus,  vir  magnus  quantum  licebat,  validamque 
et  pugnacem  Silurum  gentem  armis  sube'git,  super 
virtutem  hostium,  locorum  quoque  difficultates  eluc- 
tatus. 

«  XVIII.  Hunc  Britanniae  statum,  has  bellorum 
vices  media  jam  aestate  transgressus  Agricola  invenit, 
cum  et  milites,  velut  omissa  expeditione,  ad  securita- 
tem,  et  hostes  ad  occasionem  verterentur.' .£  Ordovicum 
civitas,  baud  multo  ante  adventum  ejus,  alam,  in  fini- 
bus  suis  agentem,  prope  universam  obtriverat  :  eoque 
initio  erecta  provincia  :  et,  quibus  bellum  volentibus 
erat,  probare  exemplum,  ac  recentis  legati  animum 
opperiri,  cum  Agricola,  quanquam  transvecta  acstas, 
sparsi  per  provinciam  numeri,  praesumpta  apud  mili- 
tem  illius  anni  quies,  tarda  et  contraria  bellum  inehoa- 
turo,  et  plerisque  custodiri  suspecta  potius  vidcbatur, 
ire  obviam  discrimini  statuit*{  contractisque  legionum 
vexillis  et  m^dica  auxiliorum  manu,  quia  in  aequum 
degredi  OrdOVices  non  audebant,  ipse  ante  agmen, 
quo  ceteris  par  animus  simili  periculo  esset,  erexit 


AGRICOLA.  55 

aciem  :  caesaque  prope  universa  gente,  non  ignarus 
instancing!  famae,  ac,  prout  prima  cessissent,  terrorem 
ccteris  fore,  Monam  insulam,  cujus  possessione  revo- 
catum  Paullinum  rebellione  totius  Britanniae  supra 
memoravi,  redige're  in  potestatem  anirao  intendit. 
Sed,  ut  in  dubiis  consiliis,  naves  deerant  :  ratio  et 
constantia  ducis  transvexit^*Depositis  omnibus  sar- 
cinis,  lectissimos  auxiliarium,  quibus  nota  vada  et  pa- 
trius  nandi  usus,  quo  simul  seque  et  arma  et  equos  re- 
gunt,  ita  repente  immisit,  ut  obstupefacti  hostes,  qui 
classem,  qui  naves,  qui  mare  expectabant,  nihil  ardu- 
um  aut  invictum  crediderint  sic  ad  bellum  venienti- 

C-t  Y~ 

bus.l|fTta  petita  pace  ac  deoita  insula,  clarus  ac  mag- 
nus  haberi  Agricola  :  j^uijipe  cui  ingredient!  provin- 
ciam,  quod  tempus  alii  per  ostentationem  aut  officio- 
nim  ambitum  transigunt,  labor  et  periculum  placuisset. 
Xec  Agricola,  prosperitate  rerum  in  vanitatem  usus, 
expeditionem  aut  victoriam  vocabat  victos  continuisse  : 
ne  laureatis  quidem  gesta  prosecutus  est  :  sed  ipsa  dis- 
simulatione  famae  f amain  auxit,  aestimantibus,  quanta 
futuri  spe  tarn  magna  tacuisset. 

/^~XIX.  Ceterum  animorum  provinciae  prudens,  si- 
mulque  doctus  per  aliena  experimenta  parum  profici 
armis,  si  injuriae  sequerentur,  causas  bellorum  statuit 
excidere.  A  se  suisque  orsus,  primum  domum  suam 
coercuit :  quod  plerisque  baud  minus  arduum  est,  quam 
provinciam  regere.  Kihil  per  libertos  servosque  pub- 
lioae  rei :  non  studiis  privatis  nee  ex  commendatione 
aut  precibus  centurionum  milites  ascire,  sed'x  dptttnum 
quemque  fidissimum  putare  :  omnia  scire,  non  omnia 
exsequi :  parvis  peccatis  veniam,  magnis  severitatem 
commodare  :  nee  poena  semper,  sed  saepius  poeniten- 
tia  contentus  esse  ;  officiis  et  administrationibus  potius 


56  C.  CORN.  TACITI 

non  peccaturos  praeponere,  quam  damnare,  cum  pec- 
cassent.     Frumenti  et  tributorum  auctionem  aequali-  , 
tate  munerum  mollire,  circumcisis,  quae,  ia  quaestum  N 
reperta,  ipso  tribute  gravius  tolerabantur  :  namque  per 
ludibrium  assidere  clausis  horreis  et  emere  ultro  fru- 
menta,  ac  vendere  pretio  cogebantur  :  devortia  itine- 
rurn  et  longinquitas  regionum  indicebatur,  ut  civitates 
a  proximis  hibernis  in  remota  et  avia  referrent,  donee, 
quod  omnibus  in  promptu  erat,  paucis  lucrosum  fieret. 

XX.  Haec  primo  statim  anno  comprimendo,  egre- 
giam  f amam  paci  circumdedit  ;  quae  vel  incuria  vel 
intolerantia  priorum  baud  minus  quam  bellum  timeba- 
tur.     Sed  ubi  aestas  advenit,  contracto  exercitu,  mul- 
tus  in  agmine  laudare  modestiam,  disjectos  coercere  : 
loca  castris  ipse  capere,  aestuaria  ac  silvas  ipse  prae- 
tentare  ;  et  nihil  interim  apud  bostes  quietum  pati,  quo 
minus  subitis  excursibus  popularetur  :  atque,  ubi  satis 
terruerat,  parcendo  rursus  irritamenta  pacis  ostentare. 
Quibus  rebus  multae  civitates,  quae  in  ilium  diem  ex 
acquo  egerant,  datis  obsidibus,  iram  posuere,  et  praesi- 
diis  castellisque  circumdatae  tanta  ratione  curaque,  ut 
nulla  ante  Britanniae  nova  pars  illacessrca  transient. 

XXI.  Sequens   hiems   saluberrimis    consiliis    ab- 
sumpta  :  namque,  ut  bomines  dispersi  ac  rudes,  eoque 
in  bella  faciles,  quieti  et  otio  per  voluptates  assuesce- 
rent,  hortari  privatim,  adjuvare  publice,  ut  templa,  fora, 
domus  exsti'uerent,  laudaudo  promptos  et  castigando 
segnes  :    ita  honoris  aemulatio  pro    necessitate  erat. 
Jam  vcro  principum  filios  liberalibus  artibus  erudire,  et 

|-  ingenia  Britannorum  studiis  Gallorum  anteferre,  ut, 
<jui  modo  linguam  Romanam  abnuebant,  eloquentiam 
concupiscerent.  Inde  etiam  habitus  nostri  honor  et  frc- 
quens  toga  :  paulatimque  discessum  ad  delenimenta 


AGRICOLA.  57 

vitiorum,  porticus  et  balnea  et  conviviorum  elegan- 
tiam  :  idque  apud  impcritos  Iiumanitas  vocabatur,  cum 
pars  servitutis  esset. 

XXII.  Tertius  expcditiouum  annus  novas  gentes 
aperuit,  vastatis  usque,  ad  Tanaum  (aestuario  noraen 
est)  nationibus  :  qua  formidine   territi   hostes  quan- 
quam  conflictatum  saevis  terapestatibus  exercitum  la- 
cessere  non  ausi  ;/ponendisque  insuper   castellis  spa- 
tium  fuit.\fAnnotabant  periti  non  alium  ducem  op- 
portunitates    locorum   sapientius   legisse  :  nullum  al> 
Agricola  positum  castellum  aut  vi  hostium  cxpugna- 
tum  aut  pactione  ac  fuga  desertum.     Crebrae  erup- 
tiones  :  nam  adversus  moras  obsidionis  annuls  copiis 

,  firmabantur  :  ita  intrepida  ibi  hiems,  et  sibi  quisque 
praesidio,  irritis  bostibus  eoquc  desperantibus,  quia 
soliti  pleruraque  damna  aestatis  hibernis  eventibus 
pensare,  turn  aestate  at  quo  liieme  juxta  pellebantur. 
Nee  Agricola  unquam  per  alios  gesta  avidus  inter- 
cepit  :  sen  centurio  seu  praefectus,  incorruptum  facti 
testem  habebat.  Apud  quosdam  acerbior  in  conviciis 
narrabatur  ;  ut  erat  coinis  bonis,  adversus  malos  inju- 
cundus  :  ceterum  ex  iracundia  nihil  supererat  ;  secre- 
tum  et  silentium  ejus  non  timeres  :  honestius  putabat 
offendere,  quam  odisse. 

XXIII.  Q.uarta  aestas  obtinendis,  quae  percurrerat, 
insumpta  :  ac,  si  virtus  exercituum  et  Romani  nominis 
gloria  pateretur,  inventus  in  ipsa  Britannia  terminus.. 
Nam  Clota  et   Bodotria,  diversi  maris  aestibus  'per 
immensum  revcctae,  angusto  terrarum  spatio  dirimun- 
tur  :    quod   turn  praesidiis   firmabatur,    atque   omnis 
propior  sinus  tenebatur,  summotis  velut  in  aliam  insu- 
lam  hostibus. 

XXIY.  Quinto   expeditionum   anno,  nave   prima 


58  0.  CORN.  TACITI 

transgressus,  ignotas  jid_id_ Jejnpus  gentcs  crebris 
simul  ac  prosperis  proeliis  domuit  :  camquc  partem 
Britanniae,  quae  Hiberniara  aspicit,  copiis  instruxit 
in  spem  magis  quam  ob  formidinem ;  si  quidcm  ^ 
Ilibernia,  medio  inter  Britanniam  atque  Hispaniam 
sita  et  Gallico  quoque  mari  opportuna,  valentissimam  . 
imperil  partem  magnis  invicem  usibus  miscueriQ 
Spatium  ejus,  si  Britanniae  comparetur,  angustius, 
nostri  maris  insulas  superat.  Solum  coelumque  et 
ingenia  cultusque  liominum  hand  nmltum  a  Britannia 
differunt  :  in  melius  aditus  portusque  per  commercia 
et  negotiatores  cogniti.  Agricola  expulsum  seditione 
domestica  unum  ex  regulis  gcntis  exceperat  ac  specie 
amicitiae  in  occasionem  retinebat.  Saepe  ex  eo  audivi, 
legione  una  et  modicis  auxiliis  debellari  obtinerique 
Hiberniam  posse.  Idque  etiam  adversus  Britanniam 
profuturum,  si  Romana  ubique  arma,  et  velut  e  con- 
spectu  libertas  tolleretur. 

XXV.  Ceterum  aestate,  qua  sextum  officii  annum 
inchoabat,  amplexus  civitates  trans  Bodotriam  sitas, 
quia  motus  universarum  ultra  gentium  et  infesta 
hostilis  exercitus-  itinera  timebantur,  portus  classe 
exploravit  :\  quae,  ab  Agricola  primum  assumpta  in 
partem  virium,  sequebatur  egregia  specie,  cum  simul 
terra,  simul  mari  bellum  impelleretur,  ac  saepe  iisdem 
castris  pedes  equesque  et  nauticus  miles,  mixti  copiis 
et  laetitia,  sua  quisque  facta,  suos  casus  attollerent  : 
ac  modo  silvarum  ac  montium  profunda,  modo  tem- 
pestatum  ac  fluctuum  adversa,  hinc  terra  ct  host  is, 
hinc  victus  Oceanus  'militari  jactantia  compararen- 
tur.  Britannos  quoque,'  ut  ex  captivis  audiebatur, 
visa  classis  obstupefaciebat,  tanquam,  aperto  maris 
sui  secreto,  ultimum  victis  perfugiuin  clauderctur. 


AGRICOLA.  59 

Ad  manus  et  arma  conversi  Caledoniam  incolentes 
populi,  paratu  magno,  majore  fama,  uti  mos  cst  de 
ignotis,  oppugnasse  ultrcy  castella  adorti,  metum,  ut 
provoca'ntes,  addiderant  :  regrediendumque  citra  Bo- 
dotriam,  et  excedendum  potius,  quara  pellerentur,  spe- 
cie prudentium  ignavi  admonebant :  cum  interim  cog- 
noscit  hostes  pluribus  agminibus  irrupturos.  Ac,  ne 
superante  numero  et  peritia  locorum  circumiretur, 
diviso  et  ipse  in  tres  partes  exercitu  inccssit. 
\ys — XXVI.  Quod  ubi  cognitum  hosti,  mutato  repente 
consilio,  universi  nonam  legionem,  ut  maxime  invali- 
dam,  nocte  aggressi  inter  somnum  ac  trepidationem 
caesis  vigilibus,  irrupe're.  Jamque  in  ipsis  castris 
>pugnabant,  cum  Agricola,  iter  hostium  ab  exploratori- 
bus  edoctus  et  vestigiis  insecutus,  velocissimos  equi- 
tum  peditumque  assultare  tergis  pugnantium  jubet, 
mox  ab  universis  adjici  clamorem  ;  et  propinqua  luce 
f  ulsere  signa :  ita  ancipili  malo  territi  Britanni  :  et 
Romanis  redit  animus,  ac,  securi  pro  salute,  de  gloria 
certabant,-  xTJltro  quin  etiam  erupere  :  et  fuit  atrox  in 
ipsis  portarum  angustiis  proelium,  donee  pulsi  hos- 
tes ;  utroque  exercitu  certante,  his,ut  tulisse  opem 
illis,  ne  eguisse  auxilio  viderentur.  Quod  nisi  palu- 
des  et  silvae  fugientes  texissent,  debellatum  ilia  vic- 
toria foret. 

XXVII.  Cujus  conscientia  ac  fama  ferox  exercitus, 
nihil  virtuti  suae  invium  :  penetrandam  Caledoniam, 
inveniendumque  tandem  Britanniae  terminum  con- 
tinuo  proeliorum  cursu,  fremebant  :  atque  illi  modo 
cauti  ac  sapientes,  prompti  post  eventum  ac  magnilo- 
qui  erant.  Iniquissima  haec  bellorum  conditio  est  : 
prospera  omnes  sibi  vindicant,  adversa  uni  imputan- 
tur.  At  Britanni  non  virtute,  sed  occasionc  et  arte 


60  C.  CORN.  TACITI 

duels  rati,  nihil  ex  arrogantia  remittere,  quo  minus 
juventutem  armarent,  conjuges  ac  libcros  in  loca  tuta 
transferrent,  coetibus  ac  sacrificiis  conspirationcm 
civitatum  sancirent  :  atque  ita  irritatis  utrimque  ani- 
mis  discessum.  V~^ 

XXVIII.  Eadem  aestate   cohors  Usipiorum,  per 
Germanias  conscripta,  in  Britanniam  transmissa,  mag- 
num ac  memorabile  facinus  ausa  est.     Occiso  centu- 
rione  ac  militibus,  qui  ad  tradendam  disciplinain  im- 
mixti  manipulis   exemplum   et  rectores   habebantur, 
tres  liburnicas,  adactis  per  vim  gubernatoribus,  ascen- 
dere  r-:et  uno  remigante,  jsuspectis  duobus  coque  intcr- 
fectis,  jnondum  vulgato  rumore  ut  miraculum  prae- 
vebebantur  :  mox  hac  atque  ilia  rapti,  et  cum  plcrisque 
Britannorum,   sua    defensantium,  »proelio    congressi, 
ac  saepe  victores,  aliquando  pulsi,   eo  ad   extremum 
inopiae  venere,  ut  infirmissimos  suorum,  mox   sorte 
ductos,  vcscerentur.     Atque  circumvecti  Britanniam, 
amissis  per  inscitiam  regendi  navibus,  pro  praedonibus 
babiti,   primum   a   Suevis,   mox  a   Frisiis   intercept! 
sunt :  ac  f  uere,  quos  per  commercia  venumdatos  et  in 
nostram  usque  ripam  mutatione  ementium  adductos, 
indicium  tanti  casus  illustravit. 

XXIX.  Initio  aestatis  Agricola,  domestico  vulncre 
ictus,  anno  ante  natum  filium  amisit.     Quern  casum 
ncque,  ut  plerique  fortium  virorum,  ambitiose,  neque 
per  lamenta  rursus  ac  moerorem  muliebriter  tulit  :  et 
in  luctu  belluni  inter  remedia  erat.     Igitur  praemissa 
classe,  quae^pluribus  locis  praedata,  magnum  et  inc-er- 
tum  terrorem  faceret,  expedite  exercitu,  cui  ex  Britan- 
nis  fortissimos  et  longa  pace  exploratos  addiderat,  ad 
moiitem  Grampium  pervenit,  quern  jam  liostis  inse- 
derat.     Nam   Britanni,   nihil   fracti    pugnae    prioris 


AGRICOLA.  61 

eventu,  et  ultioncm  aut  servitium  cxspectantes,  tan- 
dcmque  docti  commune  pcriculum  concordia  propul- 
sandum,  legationibus  et  focderibus  omnium  civitatum 
vires  exciverant.  Jamque  super  triginta  millia  arma- 
torum  aspiciebantur,  et  adhuc  affluebat  juventus  et 
quibus  cruda  ac  viridis  senectus,  clari  bello  et  sua 
quisque  decora  gestantes  :  cum  inter  plures  duces 
virtute  et  genere  praestans,  nomine  \£ilgacus,  apud 
contractam  multitudincin  proelium  poscentem,  in  hunc 
modum  locutus  fertur  :  ^^" 

(f~~  XXX.  "  Quotiens  causas  belli  et  necessitatem  nos- 
tram  intueor,  magnus  mihi  animus  est  hodiernum 
diem  consensumque  vestruni  initium  libertatis  totms 
,Britanniae  fore.  'Nam  et  universi  servitutis  expertes, 
et  nullae  ultra  tewae,  ac  no  mare  quidem  securum, 
imminente  nobis  classe  Romana  :  ita  proelium  atque 
arma,  quae  fortibus  honesta,  eadem  etiam  ignavis 
tutissima  sunt.  Priores  pugnae,  quibus  adversus  Ro- 
manos  varia  fortuna  certatum  est,  spem  ac  subsidium 
in  nostris  manibus  habebant  :  quia  nobilissimi  totius 
Britanniae  eoque  in  ipsis  penetralibus  siti,  nee  servien- 
tium  littora  aspicientes,  oculos  quoque  a  contactu 
dominationis  iuviolatos  habebamus.  Nos  terrarum  ac 
libertatis  extremes,  recessus  ipse  ac  sinus  famae  in 
hunc  diem  def  endit  ^6unc  terminus  Britanniae  patet ; 
atque  omne  ignotum  pro  magnifico  est.  Sed  nulla 
jam  ultra  gens,  nihil  nisi  fluctus  et  saxa,  ct  infestiores 
Romani :  quorum  superbiam  frustra  per  obsequium^et, 
modcstiam  effugeris.  Raptorcs  orbis,  postquani  cuncta 
vastantibus  defuere  terrae,  et  mare  scrutantur  :  si 
locuples  hostis  est,  avari  ;  si  pauper,  ambitiosi  ;  quos 
non  Oriens,  non  Occidens  satiaverit.  Soli  omnium 
opes  atque  inopiam  pari  affectu  concupiscunt.  Au- 


62  C.    CORN.  TACITI 

ferre,  trucidare,  rapere,  falsis  norainibus  iraperium ; 
atquc,  ubi  solitudinem  faciunt,  pacem  appellant."  \f* 

XXXI.  "  Liberos  cuique  ac  propinquos  suos  natura 
carissimos  csse  voluit  ;  hi  per  delectus,  alibi  servituri, 
auferuntur  :  conjuges  sororesque,  etsi  hostilem  libi- 
dinem  effugiant,  nomine   amicorum  atque  hospitum 
polluuntur. ^/'Bona  f ortunasque  in  tributum  egerunt, 
annos  in  frumentum  :  corpora  ipsa  ac  manus  silvis  ac 
paludibus  emuniendis  inter  verbera   ac   contumelias 
conterunt^|Nata  servituti  mancipia  semel  veneunt, 
atquc  ultfo^a  dominis  aluntur  :  Britannia  servitutera 
suam   quotidie   emit,   quotidie   pascit.     Ac,  sicut   in 
familia  recentissimus  quisque  servorum  et  conserves 
ludibrio  est,  sic  in  hoc  orbis  terrarum  vetere  famulatu 
novi  nos  et  viles  in  exteidium  petimur.     Neque  cnim 
arva  nobis  aut  metalla  aut  portus  sunt,  quibus  excr- 
cendis  reservemur.     Virtus  porro  ac  ferocia  subjec- 
torum  ingrata  imperantibus  :( et  longinquitas  ac  secre- 
tum  ipsum  quo  tutius,  eo  suspectiusj    Ita,  sublata  spe 
veniae,  tandem   sumite   animum,  tarn   quibus   salus, 
quam  quibus  gloria  carissima  est.     Brigantes,  femina 
duce,   exurere   coloniam,   expugnare   castra,   ac,   nisi 
felicitas  in  socordiam  vertisset,  exuere  jugum  potuere  : 
nos  integri  et  indomiti  et  libertatem  non  in  poeniten- 
tiam  laturi,  primo  statim  congressu  nonne  ostendamus, 
quos  sibi  Caledonia  viros   seposuerit  ?     An   eandem 
Romanis  in  bello  virtutem,  quam  in  pace  lasciviam 
adesse  creditis  ? "    ,<  -~ 

XXXII.  "  Nostris  illi  dissensionibus  ac  discordiis 
clari,  vitia  hostium  in  gloriam  exercitus  sui  vertuiit  : 
quern  contractum  ex  diversissimis  gentibus,  ut  secun- 
dae  res  tenent,  ita  adversae  dissolvent  :  nisi  si  Gallos 
et  Germanos  et  (pudet  dictu)  Britaiinorum  plerosque, 


AGRICOLA.  63 

licet  domination!  alienae  sanguinem  commodent,  diu- 
tius  lamen  hostes  quam  servos,  fide  et  affectu  teneri 
putatis  :  metus  et  terror  est,  infirma  vincula  caritati^r^L 
quae  ubi  removeris,  qui  timere  desierint,  odisse  inci- 
pient. Omnia  victoriae  incitamenta  pro  nobis  sunt : 
nullae  Romanos  conjuges  accendunt ;  nulli  parentes 
fugam  exprobraturi  sunt  ;  aut  nulla  plerisque  patria, 
aut  alia  est.  Paucos  numero,  trepidos  ignorantia, 
coelum  ipsum  ac  mare  et  silvas,  ignota  omnia  cir- 
cumspectantes,  clauses  quodammodo  ac  vinctos  dii 
nobis  tradideruntT]  ~Ne  terreat  vanus  aspectus  et  ami 
fulgor  atque  argenti,  quod  neque  tegit  neque  vul- 
nerat.  In  ipsa  hostium  acie  inveniemus  nostras  ma- 
,nus  :  agnoscent  Britanni  suam  causam  :  recorda- 
buntur  Galli  priorem  libertatem  :  deserent  illos 
ceteri  Germani,  tanquam  nuper  Usipii  reliquerunt. 
Nee  quidquam  ultra  formidinis  :  vacua  castella,  senum 
coloniae,  inter  male  parentes  et  injuste  imperantes 
aegra  municipia  et  discordantia  :  hie  dux,  hie  exer- 
citus  :  ibi  tributa  et  metalla  et  ceterae  servientium 
poenae  :  quas  in  aeternum  perferre  aut  statim  ulcisci 
in  hoc  campo  est.  Proinde  ituri  in  aciem  et  majores 
vestros  et  posteros  cogitate." 

XXXIII.  Excepere  orationem  alacres,  ut  barbaris 
moris,  cantu  et  fremitu  clamoribusque  dissonis.  Jam- 
que  agmina,  et  armorum  fulgores  audentissimi  cuj  us- 
que procursu  :  simul  instruebantur  acies  :  cum  Agri- 
cola,  quanquam  laetum  et  vix  munimentis  coercitum 
militem  adhortatus,  ita  disseruit  :  "  Cctavus  annus  est, 
commilitones,  ex  quo  virtute  et  auspiciis  imperil  Ro- 
mani  fide  atque  opera  vestra  Britanniam  vicistis  :  tot 
expeditionibus,  tot  proeliis,  sen  fortitudine  adversus 
hostes  sen  patieutia  ac  labore  paene  adversus  ipsam 


64  C.  CORN.   TACITI 

rerum  naturam  opus  fuit,  neque  me  militum  neque 
vos  duels  poenitui<v^-Ergo  egressi,  ego  veterum  lega- 
torum,  vos  priorum  exercituum  terminos,  finem  Bri- 
tanniae  non  fama  nee  rumore,  sed  castris  et  armis 
tenemus.  Inventa  Britannia  et  subacta.  Equidem 
saepe  in  agmine,  cum  vos  paludes  montesve  et  flumina 
fatigarent,  fortissimi  cujusque  voces  audiebam,  Quan- 
do  dabitur  hostis,  quando  acies  ?  Veniunt,  e  latebris 
suis  extrusi  :  et  vota  virtusque  in  aperto,  omniaque 
prona  victoribus,  atque  eadem  victis  adversaT^  Xam, 
ut  supcrasse  tantum  itineris,  silvas  evasisse,  transisse 
aestuaria  pulchrum  ac  decorum  in  frontem  ;  ita  fugi- 
entibus  periculosissima,  quae  hodie  prosperrima  sunt. 
Neque  enim  nobis  aut  locorum  eadem  notitia  aut 
commeatuum  eadem  abundantia  :  sed  manus  et  anna 
et  in  his  omnia.  Quod  ad  me  attinet,  jam  pridem 
mini  decretum  est,  neque  exerbitus  neque  duels  terga 
tuta  esse.  Proinde  et  honesta  mors  turpi  vita  potior ; 
et  incolumitas  ac  decus  eodem  loco  sita  sunt  :  nee 
inglorium  fuerit,  in  ipso  terrarum  ac  naturae  fine 
cecidisse." 

XXXIV.  "  Si  novae  gehtes  atque  ignota  acies  con- 
stitisset,  aliorum  exercituum  exemplis  vos  hortarer  ; 
nunc  vestra  decora  recensete,  vestros  oculos  interro- 
gate, li  sunt,  quos  proximo  anno,  imam  legionem 
furto  noctis  aggressos,  clamore  debellastis  :  ii  cctero- 
rum  Britannorum  fugacissimi,  ideoque  tarn  diu  super- 
stites.  Quomodo  silvas  saltusque  penetrantibus  for- 
tissimum  quodque  animal  dontra  mere,  pavida  et 
inertia  ipso  agminis  sono  pelluntur,  sic  acerrimi  Bri- 
tannorum jam  pridem  ceciderunt  :  reliquus  est  nu- 
merus  ignavorum  et  metuentium  ;  quos  quod  tandem 
invenistis,  non  restiterunt,  sed  deprehensi  sunt  ;  no- 


AGRICOLA.  65 

vissimae  res  et  extreme  metu  corpora  defixere-  aciem 
in  his  vestigiis,  in  quibus  pulchram  et  spectabilem 
victoriam  ederetis.  Transigite  cum  expeditionibus  : 
imponite  quinquaginta  annis  magnum  diem  :  appro- 
bate reipublicae  nunquam  exercitui  imputari  potuisse 
aut  moras  belli  aut  causas  rebellandi."  /-— 

XXXV.  Et  alloquente  adhuc  Agricola,  militum 
ardor  eminebat,  et  iinem  orationis  ingens  alacritas  con- 
secuta  est,  statimque  ad  arma  discursum.  Instinc- 
tos  ruentesque  ita  disposuit,  ut  peditum  auxilia,  quae 
octo  millia  erant,  mediam  aciem  firmarent,  equitum 
tria  inillia  cornibus  affunderentur  :\!fegiones  pro  vallo 
stetere,  ingens  victoriae  decus  citra  Roma»tim  sanW 
guinem  bellanti,  et  auxilium,  si  pellerenturTyBritan- 
norum  acies,  in  speciem  simul  ac  terrorem,  editioribus 
locis  constitcrat  ita,  ut  primum  agmen  aequo,  ceteri 
per  acclive  jugum  connexi  velut  insurgerent  :  media 
campi  covinarius  et  eques  strepitu  ac  discursu  com- 
plebat.  Turn  Agricola  superante  hostium  multitudine 
veritus,  ne  simul  in  frontem,  simul  et  latera  suorum 
pugnaretur,  diductis  ordinibus,  quanquam  porrectior 
acies  futura  erat  et  arcessendas  plerique  legiones 
admonebant,  promptior  iu  spem  et  firmus  adversis 
dimisso  equo  pedes  ante  vexilla  constitit. 

XXXYI.  Ac  primo  congressu  eminus  certabatur  ; 
simulque  constantia  simul  arte  Britanni  ingentibus 
gladiis  et  brevibus  cetris  mLssilia  nostrorum  vitare  vel 
excutere,  atque  ipsi  magnam  vim  telorum  superfun- 
dere  :  donee  Agricola  Batavorum  cohortes  ac  Tun- 
grorum  duas  cohortatus  est,  ut  rem  ad  mucrones  ac 
manus  aclducercnt :  quod  et  ipsis  vetustate  militiae}\| — . 
cxcrcitatum/ct  hostibus  inhabile  parva  scuta  et  enor- 
mes  gladios  gcrentibus  :  nam  Britannorum  gladii  sine 


66  C.   CORN.   TACITI 

mucrone  complexum  armorum  et  in  aperto  pugnam^ 
non  tolerabant.  Igitur,  ut  Batavi  miscere  ictus,  f  erire 
umbonibus,  ora  f  oedare,  et  strati^,  qui  in  aequo  obsti- 
terant)  erigere  in  colles  aciem  coepere,  ceterae  cohor- 
tes,  aemulatione  et  impetu  commistae,  proximos  quos- 
que  caedere  ;  ac  plerique  semineces  aut  integri  f  esti- 
natione  victoriae  relinquebantur.J  Interim  equitum 
turmae  f ugere,  covinarii  peditum  se  proelio  miscuere : 
et,  quanquara  recentem  terrorem  intulerant,  densis 
tamen  hostium  agminibus  et  inaequalibus  locis  haere- 
bant  :  minimeque  equestris  ea  pugnae  f  acies  erat,  cum 
aegrc  diu  stantes  simul  equorum  corporibus  impelle- 
rentur,  ac  saepe  vagi  currus,  exterriti  sine  rectoribus 
equi,  ut  quemque  formido  tulerat,  transversos  aut 

obvios  incursabant. 

•"^  •* 

XXXVII.  Et  Britanni,  qui  adhuc  pugnae  expertes 
summa  collium  insederant  et  paucitatem  nostrorum 
vacui  spernebant,  degredi  paulatim  et  circumire  terga 
vincentium  coeperant :  ni  id  ipsum  veritus  Agricola, 
quatuor  equitum  alas,  ad  subita  belli  retentas,  venien- 
tibus  opposuisset,  quantoque  ferocius  accurrerant,  tan- 
to  acrius  pulsos  in  fugam  disjecisset.  Ita  consilium 
Britannorum  in  ipsos  versum  :  transvectaeque  prae- 
cepto  ducis  a  f  ronte  pugnantium  alae,  aversam  hostium 
aciem  invasere.  Turn  vero  patentibus  locis  grande  et 
atrox  spectaculum  :  sequi,  vulnerare,  capere  atque  eos- 
dem,  oblatis  aliis,  trucidare^^fam  hostium,  prout  cui- 
que  ingenium  erat,  catervae  armatorum  paucioribus 
terga  praestare,  quidam  inermes  ultro  mere  ac  se  mor- 
ti  offerre  ;  passim  arma  et  corpora  et  laceri  artus  et 
cruenta  humus  :  et  aliquando  etiam  victis  ira  virtus- 
que  ;  postquam  silvis  appropinquarunt,  collect!  pri- 
mos  sequentium  incautos  et  locorum  ignaros  circum- 


AGRICOLA.  67 

veniebant.  J  Quod  ni  frequens  ubique  Agricola  validas 
et  expeditas  cohortes  indaginis  modo,  et,  sicubi  arcti- 
ora  erant,  partem  equitum  dimissis  equis,  simul  rari- 
ores  silvas  equitem  persultare  jussisset,  acceptum  ali- 
quod  vulnus  per  nimiam  fiduciam  foret.  Ceterum, 
ubi  composites  firmis  ordinibus  sequi  rursus  videre,  in 
fugam  versi,  non  agminibus,  ut  prius,  nee  alius  alium 
respectantes,  rari  et  vitabundi  invicem,  longinqua  at- 
que  avia  petiere.  Finis  sequendi  nox  et  satietas  fuit : 
caesa  hostium  ad  decem  millia  :  nostrorum  trecenti 
sexaginta  cecidere  :  in  quis  Aulus  Atticus  praefec- 
tus  cohortis,  juvenili  ardore  et  ferocia  equi  hostibus 
illatus.  fi> 

XXXVIII.  Et  nox  quidem  gaudio  praedaque  laeta 
victoribus  :  Britanni  palantes,  mixtoque  virorum  mu- 
lierumque  ploratu,  trahere  vulneratos,  vocare  integros, 
deserere  domos  ac  per  iram  ultro  incendere  :(eligere 
latebras  et  statim  relinquere  :  miscere  invicem  consilia 
aliqua,  dein  separare  :  aliquando  frangi  aspectu  pigno- 
rum  suorum,  saepius  concitari :  •,'  satisque  constabat, 
saevisse  quosdam  in  conjuges  ac  liberos,  tanquam  mi- 
sererentur.  Proximus  dies  faciem  victoriae  latius 
aperuit :  vastum  ubique  silentium,  secreti  colles,  fu- 
mantia  procul  tecta,  nemo  exploratoribus  obvius  :  qui- 
bus  in  omnem  partem  dimissis,  ubi  incerta  fugae  ves- 
tigia neque  usquam  conglobari  hostes  compertum  et  u 
exacta  jam  aestate  spargi  bellum  nequibat,  in  fines  Bo-  ' 
restorum  exercitum  deducit.  Ibi  acceptis  obsidibus, 
praefecto  classis  circumvehi  Britanniam  praecepit. 
Datae  ad  id  vires,  et  praecesserat  terror.  Ipse  pedi- 
tem  atque  equites  lento  itinere,  quo  novarum  gentium 
animi  ipsa  transitus  mora  terrerentur,  in  hibernis  loca- 
vit.  Et  simul  classis  secunda  tempestate  ac  fama 


68  C.   CORN.  TACITI 

Trutulensem  portum  tenuit,  unde  proximo  latere  Bri- 
tanniae  lecto  omni  redierat. 

^-  XXXIX.  Hunc  rerum  cursum,  quanquam  nulla 
verborum  jactantia  epistolis  Agricolae  actum,'ut  Do- 
mitialio  moris  erat,  f ronte  laetus,  pectore  anxius  exce- 
pit.  Inerat  conscientia  derisui  fuisse  nuper  falsum  c 
Germania  triumphum,  emptis  per  commercia,  quorum 
habitus  et  crines  in  captivorum  speciem  formarentur  : 
at  nunc  veram  magnamque  victoriam,  tot  inillibus 
hostium  caesis,  ingenti  fama  celebrari.  Id  sibi  maxi- 
me  formidolosum,  privati  liominis  nomen  supra  princi- 
pis  attolli :  frustra  studia  fori  et  civilium  artium  de- 
cus  in  silentium  acta,  si  militarem  gloriam  alius  occu- 
paret :  et  cetera  utcumque  f  acilius  dissimulari :  ducis 
boni  imperatoriam  virtutem  esse.  Talibus  curis  exer- 
citus,  quodque  saevae  cogitationis  indicium  erat,  se- 
creto  suo  satiatus,  optimum  in  praesentia  statuit  re- 
ponere  odium,  donee  impetus  famae  et  favor  exercitus 
languesceret :  nam  etiam  turn  Agricola  Britanniam 
obtinebat. 

XL.  Igitur  triumpnalia  ornamenta  et  illustris  sta- 
tuae  honorem  et  quidquid  pro  triumpho  datiir,  multo 
verborum  lionore  cumulata,  decerni  in  senatu  jubet  ; 
addique  insuper  opinionem,  Syriam  provinciam  Agri- 
colae destinari,  vacuam  turn  inorte  Atilii  Rufi  consu- 
laris  et  majoribus  reservatamrj  C»edidere  plerique  li- 
bertum  ex  secretioribus  ministeriis  missuui  ad  Agrico- 
lam  codicillos,  quibus  ei  Syria  dabatur,  tulisse  cum 
praecepto,  ut,  si  in  Britannia  foret,  traderentur  :  euni- 
que  libertum  in  ipso  freto  Oceani  obvium  Agricolae, 
ne  appellate  quidem  eo,  ad  Domitianum  rcmeasse  : 
sive  verum  istud,  sive  ex  ingenio  principis  fictum  ac 
compositum  estPr^Tradiderat  interim  Agricota  succes- 


AGRICOLA.  69 

sori  suo  provinciam  quietam  tutamque.  Ac,  ne  nota- 
bilis  celebritate  et  frequentia  occurrentium  introitus 
esset,  vitato  amicorum  officio,  noctu  in  urbem,  noctu 
in  palatium,  ita  ut  praeceptum  erat,  venit :  exceptus- 
que  brevi  osculo  et  nullo  sermone  turbae  servientium 
immixtus  est.  Ceterum,  ut  militare  nomen,  grave  in- 
ter otiosos,  aliis  virtutibus  temperaret,  tranquillitatem 
atque  otiura  penitus  auxit,  cultu  modicus,  sermone  fa- 
cilis,  uno  aut  altero  amicorum  comitatus  ;  adeo  ut  ple- 
rique  quibus  magnos  viros  per  ambitionem  aestimare 
mos  est,  viso  aspectoque  Agricola,  quaererent  famam, 
pauci  interpretarentur. 

XLI.  Crebro  per  eos  dies  apud  Domitiahum  absens 
accusatus,  absens  absolutus  est.  Causa  periculi  non 
crimen  ullum  aut  querela  laesi  cujusquam,  sed  infen- 
sus  virtutibus  princeps  et  gloria  viri  ac  pessimum  ini- 
micorum  genus,  laudantcs.  Et  ea  insecuta  sunt  rei- 
publicae  tempora,  quae  sileri  Agricolam  non  sinerent : 
tot  exercitus  in  Moesia  Daciaque  et  Germania  Pannp/- 
niaque,  temeritate  aut  per  ignaviam  ducum  amisstTtot 
militares  viri  cum  tot  cohortibus  expugnati  et  capti : 
nee  jam  de  limite  imperii  et  ripa,  sed  de  hibernis  legio- 
num  et  possessione  dubitatum.  Ita,  cum  damna  dam- 
nis  continuarentur  atque  omnis  annus  funeribus  et 
cladibus  insigniretur,  poscebatur  ore  vulgi  dux  Agri- 
cola  :  comparantib'us  cunctis  vigorem,  constantiam  et 
expertum  bellis  animum  cum  inertia  et  f onnidine  cete- 
rorum/J  Quibus  sermonibus  satis  constat  Domitiani 
quoque  aures  verberatas,  dum  optimus  quisque  liber- 
torum  amore  et  fide,  pessimi  malignitate  et  livore,  pro- 
num  dctcrioribus  principem  exstimulabant.  Sic  Agri- 
cola  simul  suis  virtutibus,  simul  vitiis  aliorum,  in  ipsam 
gloriam  praeceps  agebatur. 


70  C.   CORN.  TACITI 

XLIL  Aderat  jam  annus,  quo  proconsulatum  Asiae 
et  Africae  sortiretur,  et  occiso  Civica  nuper  nee  Agri- 
colae  consilium  deerat,  nee  Domitiano  exemplum.  Ac- 
cessere  quidam  cogitationum  principis  periti,  qui,  itu- 
rusne  esset  in  provinciam,  ultro  Agricolam  interroga- 
rent :  ac  primo  occultius  quietem  et  otium  laudare, 
mox  operam  suam  in  approbanda  excusatione  offerre  : 
postremo  non  jam  obscuri,  suadentes  simul  terrentes- 
que,  pertraxere  ad  Domitianum  ;  qui  paratus  simula- 
tione,  in  arrogantiam  compositus,  et  audiit  preces  ex- 
cusantis,  et,  cum  annuisset,  agi  sibi  gratias  passus  est : 
nee  erubuit  beneficii  invidiaii/' Salarium  tamen,  pro- 
consulari  solitum  offerri  et  quibusdam  a  se  ipso  con- 
cessum,  Agricolae  non  dedit :  sive  offensus  non  peti- 
tum,  sive  ex  conscientia,  ne,  quod  vetuerat,  videretur 
emisse.  Proprium  huniani  ingenii  est,  odisse  quern 
laeseris^  Domitiani  vero  natura  praeceps  in  iram,  et 
quo  obscurior,  eo  irrevocabilior,  moderatione  tamen 
prudentiaque  Agricolae  leniebatur  :  quia  non  contu- 
macia  neque  inani  jactatione  libertatis  famam  fatum- 
que  provocabat.  Sciant,  quibus  moris  illicita  mirari, 
posse  etiam  sub  malis  principibus  magnos  viros  esse  : 
obsequiumque  ac  modestiam,  si  industria  ac  vigor  ad- 
sint,  eo  laudis  excedere,  quo  plerique  per  abrupta,  sed 
in  nullum  reipublicae  usum,  ambitiosa  morte  inclarue- 
runt. 

XLIII.  Finis  vitae  ejus  nobis  luctuosus,  amicis 
tristis,  extraneis  etiam  ignotisque  non  sine  cura»fuit. 
Vulgus  quoque  et  hie  aliud  agens  populus  et  ventita- 
vere  ad  domum,  et  per  fora  et  circulos  locuti  sunt : 
nee  quisquam  audita  morte  Agricolae  aut  laetatus  est 
aut  statim  oblitus.  Augebat  miserationem  constans 
rumor,  veneno  interceptum. "  Nobis  nihil  comperti  af- 

, 


AGRICOLA.  71 

finnare  ausim  :  ceterum  per  omnem  valetudinem  ejus, 
crebrius  quam  ex  more  principatus  per  nuntios  visen- 
tis,  et  libertorum  primi  et  medicorura  intimi  venere  : 
sive  cura  illud  sive  inquisitio  erat.  Supremo  quidem 
die,  momenta  deficientis  per  dispositos  cursores  nun- 
tiata  constabat,  nullo  credente  sic  accelerari,  quae  tris- 
tis  audiret.  Speciem  tamen  doloris  animo  vultuque 
prae  se  tulit,  securus  jam  odii,  et  qui  facilius  dissimu- 
laret  gaudium,  quam  metum.  Satis  constabat,  lecto 
testamento  Agricolae,  quo  cohaeredem  optimae  uxori 
et  piissimae  filiae  Domitianum  scripsit,  laetatum  eum 
velut  honore  judicioque  :  tarn  caeca  et  corrupta  mens 
assiduis  adulationibus  erat,  ut  nesciret  a  bono  patre 
non  scribi  haeredem,  nisi  malum  principem. 
M  JLLlV.  Natus  erat  Agricola,  Caio  Caesare  tertium 
consule,  Idibus  Jimiis  :  excessit  sexto  et  quinquagesi- 
mo  anno,  decimo  Kalendas  Septembris,  Collega  Pris- 
coque  consulibus.  Quod  si  habitum  quoque  ejus  pos- 
teri  noscere  velint,  decentior  quam  sublimior  fuit  ; 
nihil  metus  in  vultu,  gratia  oris  supererat :  bonum  vi- 
rum  facile  crederes,  magnum  libenteiyjfHilt  ipse  qui- 
dem, quanquam  medio  in  spatio  integrae  aetatis  erep- 
tus,  quantum  ad  gloriam,  longissimum  aevum  peregit. 
Quippe  et  vera  bona,  quae  in  virtutibus  sita  sunt,  im- 
pleverat,  et  consular!  ac  triumphalibus  ornamentis 
praedito,  quid  aliud  adstruere  f ortuna  poterat  ?  Opi- 
bus  nimiis  non  gaudebat ;  speciosae  contigerant.  Fi- 
lia  atque  uxore  superstitibus,  potest  videri  etiam  bea- 
tus  ;  incolumi  dignitate,  florente  fama,  salvis  affinitati- 
bus  et  amicitiis,  f utura  effugisse.  Kam  sicuti  durare 
in  liac  beatissimi  saeculi  luce  ac  principem  Trajanum 
videre,*quod  augurio  votisque  apud  nostras  aures  omi- 
nabatur,  ita  festinatae  mortis  grande  solatium  tulit, 


72  C.  CORN.  TACITI 

evasisse  postremum  illud  tempus,  quo  Domitianus  non 
jam  per  intervalla  ac  spiraraenta  tempdrum,  sed  conti- 
nue et  velut  uno  ictu  rempublicam  exhausit. 

XLV.  Non  vidit  Agricola  obsessam  curiam,  et 
clausum  armis  senatum,  et  eadem  strage  tot  consula- 
rium  caedes,  tot  nobilissimarum  f  eminarum  exsilia  et 
fugas.  Una  adhuc  victoria  Carus  Metius  censebatur, 
et  intra  Albanam  arcem  sententia  Messalini  strepebat, 
et  Mass  a  Bebius  jam  turn  reus  erat.  Mox  nostrae 
duxere  Helvidium  in  carcerem  manus  :  nos  Maurici 
Rusticique^  visus,  nos  innocenti  sanguine  Senecio  per- 
fudit./  Nero  tamen  subtraxit  oculos  jussitque  scelera, 
non  spectavit :  praecipua  sub  Domitiano  miseriarum 
pars  erat  videre  et  aspici :  cum  suspiria  nostra  sub- 
scriberentur  ;  cum  denotandis  tot  hominum  palloribus 
sufficeret  saevus  ille  vultus  et  rubor,  quo  se  contra  pu- 
dorem  muniebat.  Tu  vero  f  elix,  Agricola,  non  vitae 
tantum  claritate,  sed  etiam  opportunitate  mortis.  lit 
peVhibent  qui  interfuerunt  novissimis  sermonibus  tuis, 
constans  et  libens  fatum  excepisti ;  tanquam  pro  virili 
portione  innocentiam  principi  donares.  Sed  mini  fili- 
aeque  ejus,  praeter  acerbitatem  parentis  erepti,  auget 
moestitiam,  quod  assidere  valetudini,  fovere  deficien- 
tem,  satiari  vultu,  complexu,  non  contigit :  exeepisse- 
mus  certe  mandata  vocesque,  quas  penitus  animo  fige- 
remus.  Noster  hie  dolor,  nostrum  vulnus  :  nobis  tarn 
longae  absentiae  conditione  ante  quadriennium  amis- 
sus  est.  Omnia  sine  dubio,  optime  parentum,  assi- 
dente  amantissima  uxore,  superfuere  honori  tuo  :  pau- 
cioribus  tamen  lacrimis  compositus  es,  et  novissima  in 
luce  desideravere  aliquid  oculi  tui. 

XL VI.  Si  quis  piorum  manibus  locus,  si,  ut  sapien- 
tibus  placet,  non  cum  corpore  exstinguuntur  magnae 


AGRICOLA.  73 

animae,  placide  quiescas,  nosque,  domum  tuam,  ab  in- 
firmo  desiderio  et  muliebribus  lamentis  ad  contempla- 
tionem  virtutum  tuarum  voces,  qnas  neque  lugeri  ne- 
que  plangi  fas  est :  admiratione  te  potius,  te  immor- 
talibus  laudibus,  et,  si  natura  suppeditet,  similitudine 
decoremus.  Is  verus  honos,  ea  conjunctissimi  cujus- 
que  pietas.  Id  filiae  quoque  uxorique  praeceperim, 
sic  patris,  sic  mariti  memoriam  venerari,  ut  omnia 
i'acta  dictaque  ejus  secum  revolvant,  formamque  ac 
iiguram  animi  magis  quam  corporis  complectantur  : 
non  quia  intercedendum  putem  imaginibus,  quae  mar- 
more  aut  acre  finguntur  ;  sed  ut  vultus  liominum,  ita 
simulacra  vultus  imbecilla  ac  mortalia  sunt ;  forma 
mentis  aeterna,  quam  tenere  et  exprimere  non  per  ali- 
enam  materiam  et  artem,  sed  tuis  ipse  moribus  possis. 
Quidquid  ex  Agricola  amavimus,  quidquid  mirati  su- 
mus,  manet  mansurumque  est  in  animis  hominum,  in 
aeternitate  temporum  fama  rerurcu  Nam  multos  ve- 
terum,  velut  inglorios,  et  ignobiles,  oblivio  obruet : 
Agricola  posteritati  narratus  et  traditus  superstes  erit. 


NOTES. 


TABLE  OF  ABBREVIATIONS. 


SEVERAL  words,  which  occur  most  frequently  in  the  Notes,  are 
abbreviated.  Of  these  the  following  classes  may  require  explanation. 
The  other  abbreviations  are  either  familiar  or  sufficiently  obvious  of 
themselves. 


1. 


A.    . 
Ann. 
G.    . 
H. 
T.    , 


AUTHORITIES. 


.    Gruber. 

Gunther. 
.     Kiessling. 
Kingsley. 
.     Murphy. 

Orelli. 
.    Passow. 

Roth. 
.     Rhenanus. 

Ritter. 

Br.      .        .        .        Brotier.         Rup.      .        .    Ruperti. 
D.  or  Db'd.       .        .     Doderlein.     Sch.-S.        .        Schweizer-Sidler. 
Dr.      .        .  Dronke.         W.         .         .    Walch. 

E Ernesti.         Wr.   .        .        Walther. 

3.  OTHER  AUTHORITIES. 

H.          ....  Harkness'  Latin  Grammar. 

A.  and  G.  .        .        .  Allen  and  Greenough's  Grammar. 

Beck.  Gall.     .        .        .  Becker's  Gallus. 

But.  Lex.  Tac.    .        .  Botticher's  Lexicon  Taciteum. 

For.  and  Fac.         .        .  Forcellini  and  Facciolati's  Latin  Lexicon. 

Tur.  His.  Ang.  Sax.    .  Turner's  History  of  the  Anglo-Saxons. 

Z.          ....  Zumpt's  Latin,  Grammar. 


CITCS. 

Gr. 

Gun.  . 

Agricola. 

K. 

Annals. 

Ky.    . 

Germania. 

Mur. 

Histories. 

Or.     . 

Tacitus. 

Pass. 

R.      . 

TED   AS 

Rhen. 

. 

Rit.    . 

Brotier. 

Rup. 

Doderlein. 

Sch.-S. 

Dronke. 

W. 

Ernesti. 

Wr.   . 

GEEMANIA. 


INTRODUCTION. 

THERE  are  two  prominent  causes  which  ought  to  make  the  "  Ger- 
mania"  of  Tacitus  a  work  of  peculiar  interest  to  the  English  or 
American  student.  In  the  first  place,  the  modern  inductive  method, 
In  its  eager  demand  for  data,  drives  its  disciples  to  search  unceas- 
ingly for  the  ultimate,  most  simplified  facts.  As  a  deserted  quarry 
or  a  barren  cliff  has  a  worth  above  that  of  a  king's  garden  to  the 
mind  of  the  geologist,  so  the  uncivilized  life  has  come  to  have  more 
interest  than  the  civilized  to  the  scholar  who  would  seek  to  under- 
stand our  modern  institutions.  As  a  picture  of  prehistoric  society, 
the  "  Germania "  stands  almost  if  not  quite  alone.  Scarcely  has 
another  similar  treatise  ever  been  written  reclaiming  from  oblivion 
so  many  interesting  facts.  Then,  in  the  second  place,  this  work  is 
of  preeminent  value  to  us,  because  it  is  the  early  history  of  our  own 
household,  and  conveys  us  back  to  the  home  of  our  common  Ger- 
manic race. 

In  attempting  to  group  together  a  few  of  the  interesting  facts 
which  are  illustrated  here,  we  greatly  need  to  start  with  some  defi- 
nite conception  of  the  grand  distinction  between  primitive  society  and 
our  own.  Says  Mr.  Maine,  hi  his  work  upon  "  Ancient  Law : " 
"  Society  in  primitive  times  was  not  what  it  is  assumed  to  be  at 
present — a  collection  of  individuals.  In  fact,  and  in  the  view  of  the 
men  who  composed  it,  it  was  an  aggregation  of  families.  The  con- 
trast may  be  most  forcibly  expressed  by  saying  that  the  unit  of  an 
ancient  society  was  the  family,  of  a  modern  society  the  individual."  * 
In  manifest  harmony  with  this  principle,  the  nation  again  was  com- 
posed of  people  of  the  same  blood.  "  Of  this,"  says  Mr.  Maine 

*  "  Ancient  Law,"  p.  121. 


78  NOTES. 

again,  "  we  may  be  certain  that  all  ancient  societies  regarded  them- 
selves as  having  proceeded  from  one  original  stock,  and  even  la- 
bored under  an  incapacity  for  comprehending  any  reason  except  this 
for  their  holding  together  in  political  union."  * 

The  blood-connection,  then,  is  of  peculiar  prominence  in  the  or- 
ganization of  all  early  societies.  In  the  history  of  our  Indo-European 
race  we  shall  notice,  further,  that,  in  the  governmental  arrange- 
ments, the  village  community  is  of  vast  significance.  From  the 
history  of  India,  which  is  too  ancient  to  be  traced,  down  through 
the  emigrations  of  all  the  controlling  peoples  of  modern  Europe,  and 
even  revealing  itself,  like  the  unexpected  undulation  of  a  long-un- 
noticed wave,  hi  the  town  governments  of  our  Puritan  ancestors, 
everywhere  we  notice  the  effect  of  this  deep-seated  idea  of  the  rights 
and  the  privileges  of  the  village. 

In  theory,  the  inhabitants  of  the  village  were  always  regarded  as 
descended  from  a  common  head.  New  inhabitants  might  be  intro- 
duced ;  but  they  must  be  treated  as,  hi  a  manner,  adopted  children, 
and  governed  according  to  the  family  theory.  And  so  these  broth- 
ers in  the  community  possessed  not  merely  common  political  privi- 
leges, were  not  merely  equal  before  the  law,  they  were  not  mere 
members  of  a  community,  but  they  were  communists ;  not  merely 
were  their  interests  inseparable,  but  their  inheritance  was  undivided. 
To  quote  again  from  the  author  whom  we  have  already  cited :  "  The 
ancient  Teutonic  cultivating  community  consisted  of  a  number  of 
families  standing  in  a  proprietary  relation  to  a  district  divided  into 
three  parts.  These  three  portions  were  the  Mark  of  the  township 
or  village,  the  Common  Mark,  or  waste,  and  the  Arable  Mark,  or 
cultivated  area.  The  community  inhabited  the  village,  held  the 
common  mark  in  mixed  ownership,  and  cultivated  the  arable  mark 
in  lots  appropriated  to  the  several  families. 

"  Each  family  in  the  township  was  governed  by  its  own  free  head, 
or  paterfamilias.  The  precinct  of  the  family  dwelling-house  could 
be  entered  by  nobody  but  himself  and  those  under  his  palria  potestas 
— not  even  by  officers  of  the  law,  for  he  himself  made  law  within, 
and  enforced  law  made  without. 

"  Confining  ourselves  to  proprietary  relations,  we  find  that  his 
rights  or  (what  is  the  same  thing)  the  rights  of  his  family  over  the 

*"  Ancient  Law,"  p.  124. 


GERMANIA.  79 

common  mark  are  controlled  or  modified  by  the  rights  of  every 
other  family.  It  is  a  strict  ownership  in  common,  both  in  theory 
and  in  practice.  When  cattle  grazed  on  the  common  pasture,  or 
when  the  householder  felled  wood  in  the  common  forest,  an  elected 
or  hereditary  officer  watched  to  see  that  the  common  domain  was 
equitably  enjoyed. 

"  The  cultivated  land  of  the  Teutonic  village  community  appears 
almost  invariably  to  have  been  divided  into  three  great  fields.  A 
rude  rotation  of  crops  was  the  object  of  this  threefold  division,  and 
it  was  intended  that  each  field  should  lie  fallow  once  in  three  years. 
The  fields  under  tillage  were  not,  however,  cultivated  by  labor  in 
common.  Each  householder  has  his  own  family  lot  in  each  of  the 
three  fields,  and  this  he  tills  by  his  own  labor  and  that  of  his  sons 
and  his  slaves.  But  he  cannot  cultivate  as  he  pleases.  He  must 
sow  the  same  crop  as  the  rest  of  the  community,  and  allow  his  lot  in 
the  uncultivated  field  to  lie  fallow  with  the  others."  * 

This  is  perhaps  sufficient  to  give  us  at  least  some  general  con- 
ception of  the  communities  which  made  up  the  German  tribes.  The 
unit  was  the  family ;  the  families  united  in  the  village  were  still 
intimately  bound  together  by  the  sentiment  of  near  kinship;  the 
villages  were  component  parts  of  the  tribe ;  the  tribes  recognized 
themselves  as  bound  in  fellowship  with  one  another,  forming  a 
whole  people.  The  government  which  especially  affected  the  indivi- 
dual was  of  course  that  of  his  native  village  community.  Here  the 
omnipresent  law  of  tradition  and  custom  held  sway  with  most  des- 
potic power.  The  villages  of  three  thousand  years  ago  are  to  this 
day  extant  in  India,  in  parts  of  Russia,  and  in  some  other  localities 
in  Europe,  thus  bearing  witness  preeminently  to  this  fact :  how  diffi- 
cult it  is  in  such  societies  to  introduce  innovations,  to  lead  men  away 
from  the  notions  of  their  fathers.  The  influence  of  that  ancient  vil- 
lage-life is  felt  among  us  to-day. 

And  so  it  happened,  as  Tacitus  himself  bears  witness,  that  the 
ancient  Germans  did  not  build  large  cities.  Each  family  had  its 
preempted  home,  with  the  ample  court  or  yard  in  connection  with  it 
(Cap.  XVI).  We  cannot  affirm  that  the  simple  theory  of  the  village 
community  was  nowhere  modified,  that  everywhere  the  customs  re- 

*  "  Village  Communities  in  the  East  and  West,"  by  Henry  Stunner  Maine 
pp.  78-80. 


80  NOTES. 

mained  identical,  that  innovations  were  entirely  kept  out ;  but  that 
it  was  the  common  type  of  German  life.  The  householder  abode  in 
his  own  uncrowded  dwelling,  tilled,  with  the  help  of  his  household, 
his  allotted  portion  of  the  cultivated  domain,  and  pastured  in  the 
commons  during  the  summer  as  many  cattle  as  his  field  had  enabled 
him  to  sustain  through  the  winter's  cold. 

It  seems  by  no  means  improbable  that  the  original  idea  was  to 
divide  the  soil  for  tillage  into  equal  portions,  according  to  the  num- 
ber of  families.  It  was,  perhaps,  a  part  of  this  idea  that  the  desired 
equality  should  be  enforced  by  an  occasional  redistribution  of  the 
fields,  as  well  as  by  the  unvarying  laws  with  regard  to  crops.  Caesar 
makes  the  distinct  affirmation  with  regard  to  the  Suevi,  that  "  There 
was  no  tillable  land  in  the  possession  of  individuals,  and  it  was  not 
allowed  among  them  to  remain  in  one  location  for  the  purpose  of 
cultivating  the  soil  more  than  a  single  year."  *  He  says,  moreover, 
with  regard  to  the  Germans  in  general,  that  "  Their  magistrates  as- 
sign them  land,  and  compel  them  to  move  from  year  to  year."  f 
This  may  of  course  refer  simply  to  the  changeable,  wandering  mode 
of  life  which  at  times  was  prevalent  among  them,  and  yet  must  bo 
considered  at  least  suggestive  of  a  distinct  theory  of  action.  A 
similar  statement  is  also  made  by  Tacitus.  This  twofold  assertion 
of  the  Roman  authors  must  at  least  have  been  substantiated  by  some 
striking  habits  of  change  among  the  Germans. 

And  yet  it  is  evident  that,  even  in  this  society,  securely  as  it 
seemed  to  be  moored  to  the  ways  of  the  past,  the  conservative  and 
progressive  elements  were  struggling  together  for  the  mastery.  It 
is  here  in  this  question  with  regard  to  the  ownership  of  the  land 
that  we  can  trace  with  especial  distinctness  the  evidence  of  the  con- 
flict. The  old  tradition  spoke  only  in  favor  of  the  mixed  ownership ; 
the  disciples  of  progress,  as  they  had  already  begun  to  taste  the 
sweets  of  freedom,  were  determined  to  assert  themselves  as  indepen- 
dent property-holders.  Every  student  of  Cassar  and  Tacitus  has 
probably  been  conscious  of  the  difficulty  of  understanding  the  pre- 
vailing usage  of  the  German  people  with  regard  to  the  possession  of 
the  soil.  The  truth  probably  is  that  the  prevailing  usage  was  already 
undergoing  rapid  changes.  It  would  seem  to  be  the  conclusion  to 
winch  modern  scholarship  is  coming  that,  even  during  the  period 

*  Caesar  iv.,  1.  t  Caesar  vi.,  22. 


GERMANIA.  81 

which  elapsed  between  these  two  Latin  authors,  a  very  considerable 
transformation  had  taken  place.  At  the  time  when  Tacitus  com- 
posed his  work  the  era  of  private  property  hi  land  was  already  fairly 
commencing:  yet  the  reform  moved  on  with  halting  and  uneven 
pace,  for  its  feet  were  still  entangled  in  the  bonds  of  tradition  and 
custom. 

The  villages  seem  to  have  been  grouped  together,  for  govern- 
mental purposes,  in  organizations  arranged  in  some  way  according 
to  hundreds.  If  we  attempt  to  settle  the  question  in  our  minds, 
what  4the  original  basis  of  this  division  was,  we  shall  soon  find  our- 
selves in  the  centre  of  one  of  the  battle-fields  of  modern  controversy, 
with  the  smoke  of  the  conflict  so  thick  about  us  that  we  lose  our 
bearings  at  every  turn.  It  was  probably  hardly  the  idea  that  a  hun- 
dred villages  should  be  thus  associated,  yet  a  hundred  smaller  groups, 
formed  upon  the  basis  of  kinship,  may  have  been  organized  together 
for  this  purpose.  It  has  been  one  of  the  prominent  theories  that 
the  hundred  was  a  union  of  that  number  of  groups  of  ten  families 
each.  It  has  been  suggested,  on  the  other  hand,  that  the  hundred 
was  a  military  division,  receiving  this  name  as  a  district  by  which  a 
hundred  warriors  could  be  furnished  and  sustained.  The  truth  is, 
however,  that  every  such  organization  outgrows  so  soon  its  original 
limits  that  it  becomes  an  almost  hopeless  task  to  attempt  to  define 
the  primitive  form.  Yet,  whatever  may  have  been  its  origin,  it  is 
certain  that  this  principle  of  organization  was  exceedingly  ancient, 
reaching  back  even  beyond  the  first  occupation  of  German  soil.  We 
find  traces  of  it  among  widely-separated  members  of  the  race — in 
the  early  history  of  the  Anglo-Saxons  in  then1  occupation  of  Britain, 
among  the  Scandinavian  tribes  of  the  North,  and  perhaps  in  the  can- 
tons (centeni)  of  Switzerland  in  the  South.  It  is  the  idea  of  Mr. 
Waitz  that  the  Latin  word  pagus  is  employed  by  Caesar  and  Tacitus 
to  represent  this  division  of  the  hundred,  though  rather  in  its  local 
than  its  political  relation.  This  author  gives,  also  in  connection 
with  this  theory,  a  new  interpretation  to  certain  expressions  of  the 
Latin  writers.  Thus :  *  "  When  Caesar  speaks  of  the  hundred  pagi 
of  the  Suevi,-)-  and  Tacitus  of  those  of  the  Semnones,^  the  most  con- 
siderable people  of  the  Suevi,  it  is  evident  that  merely  the  '  hundreds ' 

*  "  Waitz  Deutsche  Verfassungsgeschichte,"  p.  158. 
t  Csesar,  i.  87,  and  iv.  I.  $  Ger.  89. 


82  NOTES. 

were  meant.  '  The  hundreds  of  the  Suevi,'  the  Roman  general  was 
informed,  '  have  reached  even  to  the  Rhine.' "  In  a  similar  manner 
we  should  get  an  interpretation  of  the  passage  regarding  the  selected 
warriors  in  the  sixth  chapter  of  the  Germania:  they  were  called 
hundreders,  not  because  of  their  exact  number,  but  because  selected 
from  the  pagus,  which  the  Germans  called  the  "  hundred." 

The  taste  for  war  among  the  ancient  Germans  was  of  course  their 
prominent  characteristic.  The  citizens  were  preeminently  soldiers, 
and  hence  their  assemblies  were  always  gatherings  of  armed  men 
(Cap.  XIII).  The  youth  who  received  political  rights  gained  them 
by  being  endowed  in  public  with  the  privilege  of  bearing  arms ;  it 
was  a  ceremony  of  interest  not  merely  to  him  but  to  all.  The  coward 
who  threw  away  his  shield  lost  all  his  dignity  as  a  member  of  the 
State,  entitled  neither  to  its  protection  nor  its  privileges  (VI).  The 
weapons  were  both  of  stone  and  iron ;  they  were  clubs  and  hammers  as 
well  as  spears.  Swords  were  not  abundant,  though  some  of  the  North- 
ern tribes  used  them  rather  like  large  knives  than  in  the  usual  form. 

So  intent  were  these  German  tribes  upon  the  pursuits  of  war, 
that  those  of  the  nobles  whose  position  was  such  as  to  mark  them 
as  chiefs,  were  wont  to  gather  about  themselves  groups  of  young 
men  who  trained  themselves  as  professional  warriors  in  the  service 
of  their  leader.  It  is  a  matter  of  no  small  difficulty  to  determine 
Avho  were  entitled,  by  law  or  custom,  to  this  distinction  of  being  at- 
tended by  a  "  comitatus,"  but  it  manifestly  was  not  all  of  the  nobles, . 
nor  does  it  seem  to  have  been  confined  to  the  kings.  Mr.  Waitz 
reaches  the  conclusion  that  these  chiefs  (always  denominated  prin- 
cipes  by  Tacitus)  were  at  the  head  of  the  "  hundreds,"  thus  being 
intermediate  between  the  kings  or  national  leaders  and  the  common 
ranks  of  the  nobility  and  people.  They  evidently  differed  widely 
among  themselves  in  rank  and  power,  and  it  was  considered  a  pecu- 
liar honor  to  be  under  the  patronage  of  those  who  were  preeminent 
in  dignity,  and  who  were  most  abundant  in  warlike  resources. 

These  men  of  ancient  days  were,  however,  not  entirely  given 
over  to  military  life.  Among  all  descendants  of  the  German  race 
the  banquet  has  never  been  neglected.  Even  Tacitus  has  apparently 
failed  to  give  to  this  the  prominence  which  it  deserves  in  a  descrip- 
tion of  Teutonic  life.  He  refers  (XXIII)  to  the  Germans'  fondness 
for  beer  and  their  general  ignorance  of  wine.  We  cannot  doubt  that 
beer  was  a  power  even  then.  He  gives  us  also  a  report  of  the  mani- 


GERMANIA.  83 

fold  uses  to  which  they  put  the  feast,  making  it  a  place  of  consulta- 
tion as  well  as  of  enjoyment,  in  true  modern  German  fashion.  He 
refers  to  the  songs  with  which  the  people  roused  themselves  as  they 
entered  the  battle  (III) ;  but  he  has  forgotten  the  singers  who,  like 
the  Celtic  bards  and  Scandinavian  scalds,  must  then,  as  in  later 
times,  have  been  one  of  the  chief  adornments  and  enjoyments  of  the 
banquet.  If  we  find  in  those  early  days  the  seeds  of  German  hilarity 
and  German  valor,  doubtless  we  might  also  find  the  elements  of 
German  song.  The  exhibition  of  the  sword-dance  (XIV)  is  made 
the  illustration  of  their  warlike  enthusiasm ;  their  songs  would  un- 
doubtedly partake  of  the  same  sentiments,  celebrating  the  glory  of 
their  race  and  the  valor  of  their  warriors  (XI).  The  feasts  were, 
moreover,  introduced  for  a  variety  of  special  occasions — at  the  birth 
of  a  child,  or  even  after  the  death  of  a  head  of  a  family,  at  the  bring- 
ing home  of  the  bride,  or  at  the  introduction  of  the  son  to  his  life  as 
a  citizen  warrior. 

The  family  relation  received,  both  socially  and  politically,  the 
very  highest  honor.  Tacitus  was  himself  peculiarly  impressed  *  by 
the  intimate  union  and  complete  sympathy  of  the  husband  and  wife, 
by  the  interest  of  the  woman  in  the  conflicts  of  the  man,  and  the  re- 
spect which  was  paid  to  her  opinion,  as  also  by  the  purity  and  chas- 
tity which  universally  prevailed.  We  have  already  noticed  that  so- 
ciety was  founded  upon  the  family  rather  than  the  individual,  but 
this  power  of  family  feeling  had  been  so  cultivated  as  to  have  pecu- 
liar force.  The  experience  of  war,  quite  as  much  as  that  of  peace, 
was  made  to  foster  it :  the  family  was  kept  together  (XII),  even  the 
wife  and  mother  accompanying  her  husband  and  son  in  the  cam- 
paign. The  widow  was  discouraged  from  a  second  marriage,  and  in 
many  cases  even  followed  her  husband  in  voluntary  death  (XIX  and 
note  ibid.).  The  family  connection  was  at  every  point  made  strong 
(XX).  The  strength  of  that  family  feeling  of  ancient  days  reveals 
itself  not  merely  in  the  purity  which  was  so  impetuously  protected 
and  enforced  two  thousand  years  ago,  but  in  the  high  estimate  of 
home-life  which  prevails  even  now  among  the  modern  German  peo- 
ples, illustrated  among  ourselves  by  the  old  proverb  that  the  Eng- 
lishman's house  is  his  castle,  and,  in  fact,  in  the  very  existence  of 
our  expressive  word  home. 

*  Chaps,  xviii.,  xix.,  viiL 


84  NOTES. 

The  mythology  of  the  ancient  Germans  was  rich  and  copious 
enough  to  prove  the  brightness  of  their  imagination.  Yet  their  re- 
ligious customs  were  simple  and  unconventional.  We  find  no  trace 
among  them  of  any  well-defined  organized  priestly  order,*  so  that  in 
this  respect  they  offer  a  striking  contrast  to  their  Cehic  neighbors, 
who  were  bound  fast  by  the  authority  of  their  Druids.  The  Germans 
were,  however,  very  greatly  influenced  by  religious  feeling,  offering 
their  sacrifices  and  prayers  with  what  was  often  superstitious  devo- 
tion, and  looking  to  their  gods  for  guidance  in  all  important  move- 
ments (X).  Their  deities  were  something  higher  than  representa- 
tives of  startling-  physical  phenomena ;  they  were  rather  the  imper- 
sonation of  qualities  which  the  people  held  most  admirable.  They 
were  worshiped  without  temples,  though  certain  localities  were  set 
apart  as  sacred.  They  guided  men  in  life,  and  in  death  received 
them  to  themselves. 

The  recognized  source  of  authority  in  the  government  was  the 
community — the  people,  the  freemen.  Each  family  had  its  acknowl- 
cdged  head,  its  paterfamilias,  who  ruled  his  household  not  as  an 
elected  official,  but  as  the  natural  guardian  and  governor  of  his  own. 
And  yet  it  would  appear  from  the  inferior  position  assigned  to  the 
infirm,  that  mere  age  and  natural  priority  did  not  govern,  but  that 
even  the  headship  of  the  family  could  be  changed  when  the  interests 
of  the  members  demanded  more  forcible  control.  Each  village, 
again,  had  its  magistracy,  though  it  was  probably  ruled  far  more  by 
traditional  usages  than  by  any  legislative  ordinances.  Each  tribe, 
and  each  hundred,  when  called  to  act  in  the  corporate  capacity,  had 
its  appointed  head  or  chieftain.  In  some  cases  they  were  ruled  by 
kings,  but  even  here  the  authority  was  sufficiently  limited  to  prove 
how  firmly  the  democratic  idea  was  implanted  in  the  Germanic  mind. 

Distinctions  of  blood  were  nevertheless  of  very  marked  signifi- 
cance. The  nobles  constituted  a  class  by  themselves,  with  peculiar 
dignity  among  the  people  and  peculiar  opportunities  for  official  pre- 
ferment. The  dignity  of  the  king  did  not  descend  from  father  to  son 
by  one  unvarying  law,  yet  it  was  only  from  the  line  of  the  nobility 

*  "Wo  do  undoubtedly  find,  even  in  the  Germania,  repeated  evidence  of  the 
activity  and  even  prominence  of  individual  priests.  It  is  quite  probable  that,  in 
the  changes  which  were  occurring,  they  were  becoming  a  recognized  order,  pre- 
pared to  defend  their  position  in  the  State.  As  yet,  however,  there  seems  to  be 
DO  evidence  of  organization  or  class  prerogatives. 


GERMANIA.  85 

that  a  king  could  with  any  propriety  be  taken.  Among  the  Chcrusci, 
when  their  nobles  had  all  fallen,  it  was  deemed  necessary  to  send  to 
Rome  for  Italicus,  who  had  there  been  educated  into  foreign  ideas, 
and  had  become  an  utter  stranger  to  his  people ;  but  be  was  sprung 
from  the  highest  of  their  nobles,  and  only  such  an  one  could  be  their 
king.*  As  to  the  origin  of  this  nobility  it  is  impossible  to  speak 
with  any  certainty.  It  is,  perhaps,  a  natural  conjecture  that  these 
families  were  the  descendants  of  the  leaders  under  whom  the  country 
was  first  occupied. 

"  They  appoint  their  kings  according  to  their  noble  birth,"  writes 
Tacitus,  "  their  leaders  according  to  their  valor  "  (VII).  Conspicu- 
ous merit  on  the  battle-field  could  thus  receive  its  proper  reward, 
irrespective  of  the  royal  authority.  That  is,  the  democratic  principle 
was  so  carried  out  that  many  of  the  most  honorable  positions  were 
within  the  gift  of  the  freemen.  The  chiefs  orprincipcs,  to  whom  wo 
have  already  referred,  seem  to  have  held  their  office  by  election,  and, 
apparently,  as  the  times  were  ill  adapted  to  frequent  changes,  they 
were  chosen  for  life,  or  at  least  as  long  as  their  vigor  should  con- 
tinue. When  the  exigencies  of  war  called  out  the  combined  re- 
sources of  the  whole  tribe,  the  leader  (dux)  was  chosen  for  the  su- 
preme command,  and  must  offer  something  more  than  mere  rank  by 
birth  to  recommend  him  for  the  honor. 

Beneath  the  nobles  and  the  freemen  there  were  also  lower  ranks. 
There  were  freedmen  of  whom  Tacitus  suggests  that,  under  mo- 
narchical sway,  as  in  other  lands,  they  often  obtained  very  exten- 
sive influence  (XXV).  And  beneath  these  were  also  slaves,  though 
from  the  very  nature  of  the  ancient  German  society  we  should  con- 
clude that  their  number  could  not  be  very  large. 

There  is  hardly  any  picture  taken  from  all  history  which  could 
be  more  interesting  to  us,  than  to  represent  to  ourselves  those  ancient 
popular  assemblies  where  our  Teutonic  forefathers  exercised  their 
rights  as  freemen,  and  trained  themselves  to  value  and  maintain  the 
privileges  which  they  there  enjoyed.  Here  were  the  seed  kernels 
from  which  a  multitude  of  our  free  institutions  have  sprung.  Some- 
times it  w.as  the  village  community,  the  far-away  progenitor  of  the 
New  England  town-meeting ;  sometimes  it  was  the  hundred  choosing 
their  chief,  perhaps  appointing  his  council  to  attend  him  in  his  judi- 

*  Tac.  Ann.,  xL  16. 


86  NOTES. 

cial  tours,*  attending  to  all  the  more  general  wants  of  society ;  some- 
times it  was  even  the  whole  tribe  which  met  iu  congress  to  consult 
upon  their  interests.  Some  of  these  assemblies,  perhaps  more  par- 
ticularly those  of  the  hundreds,  were  held  at  stated  intervals,  and 
were  the  very  life  of  the  body  politic.  The  people  came  together 
armed,  as  weapons  were  the  honorable  sign  of  citizenship.  Mr. 
Freeman,  in  his  "  History  of  the  Growth  of  the  English  Constitu- 
tion," points  out  to  us  the  same  custom  of  popular  assemblage  exist- 
ing in  Switzerland,  even  to  our  own  times.  The  classical  student, 
who  is  familiar  with  the  picture  presented  by  Homer,  will  find  the 
perfect  counterpart  of  these  assemblies  in  the  meetings  of  the  Greek 
warriors  before  the  walls  of  Troy.  The  business  was  directed  by 
the  king  or  chief,  while  the  different  princes  felt  a  peculiar  responsi- 
bility, and  claimed  especial  prominence  in  influencing  the  decision 
which  should  be  reached.  The  freemen,  however,  must  be  won  over 
to  approve  the  conclusion  which  was  to  have  the  force  of  law.  Popu- 
lar discontent  might,  perhaps,  be  vigorously  corrected ;  an  ill-man- 
nered Thersites,  failing  to  carry  the  popular  feeling  with  him,  might 
be  dealt  with  unceremoniously  for  the  sake  of  the  public  impression, 
and  yet  the  popular  will  must  ratify  the  measure  before  it  could  be 
secure.  This  was  the  type  of  the  ancient  Aryan  form  of  govern- 
ment ;  and  so  the  Germans  came  together  to  choose  their  leaders,  to 
decide  the  questions  of  public  interest,  to  act  their  part  as  freemen, 
and  to  introduce  their  children  to  the  freeman's  rights.  Less  im- 
portant decisions  were  reached  by  the  chiefs  alone ;  affairs  of  higher 
magnitude  were  similarly  considered,  but  were  brought  before  the 
freemen  for  ultimate  decision.  The  principal  men  of  the  state  spoke 
in  behalf  of  their  favorite  plans,  carrying  weight  according  to  the 
respect  which  was  felt  for  their  authority  and  opinion  (XI).  The 
will  of  the  people  was  expressed,  not  by  any  showing  of  hands  or 
counting  of  heads,  but  by  the  clash  of  arms  and  shouts  of  approval 
with  which  they  signified  their  assent,  or  the  cries  of  opposition  by 
which  they  marked  their  disapproval,  the  original  form  of  our  own 
viva  vocc  manner  of  voting. 

According  to  the  conception  of  our  forefathers,  each  assembly 
had  also  the  authority  of  a  court.  They  were  thus  well  provided 

*  Germania,  sdi.  Comites  were  appointed,  according  to  Tacitus,  to  attend  the 
princeps.  The  Centeni  need  not  necessarily  refer  to  a  fixed  number.  They 
were  the  representatives  of  the  division  of  tho  hundred. 


GEEMANIA.  87 

with  judicial  tribunals,  and  were  abundantly  equipped  with  laws  and 
legal  forms.  In  the  Gcrmania  we  have  particular  reference  only 
to  the  courts  of  the  hundreds,  held  by  the  princeps,  with  his  council 
of  representative  men  (XII),  as  the  full  assembly  would  hardly  be 
gathered  for  every  case,  but  the  authority  would  be  delegated  to 
those  who  could  more  efficiently  exercise  it.  In  a  similar  manner 
the  cases  pertaining  to  the  village,  or  to  the  commonwealth,  had  a 
proper  tribunal  appointed,  before  which  they  could  be  tried,  the 
authority  coming  in  each  case  from  the  assembly  of  the  freemen 
which  the  court  represented,  if  it  was  not  immediately  exercised 
by  it, 

In  the  matter  of  penalties  and  punishments  the  ancient  German 
jurisprudence  was  eminently  peculiar.  In  questions  of  public  crime, 
which  affected  the  standing  of  the  individual  before  the  nation,  the 
law  was  quite  severe.  Traitors  and  deserters  were  hung  as  a  warn- 
ing to  society.  Those  who  were  guilty  of  equally  flagrant  and  even 
more  shameful  offences,  the  impure  and  the  cowardly,  were  sunk  in 
some  foul  quagmire,  as  if  to  bury  the  very  memory  of  their  abomi- 
nable example  (XII).  At  the  basis  of  all  forms  of  punishment 
seemed  to  lie  the  idea  that  the  offender  should  be  made  to  suffer  the 
loss  of  his  rights  as  a  citizen,  in  a  degree  corresponding  to  his  mis- 
deeds. Thus  the  coward  who  had  failed  to  perform  his  duty  as  a 
citizen  soldier  was  deprived  of  all  his  privileges,  and  lost  all  the  favor 
and  protection  of  society  (VI).  In  connection  with  minor  offences, 
and  even  extending  to  cases  of  murder,  the  criminal,  who  would 
otherwise  as  an  outlaw  have  been  exposed  to  the  revengeful  attacks 
of  those  whom  he  had  offended,  was  permitted  to  suffer  punishment 
in  the  form  of  a  fine,  and  the  plaintiff  was  obliged  to  accept  the 
satisfaction  which  was  thus  rendered  (XXI).  In  the  system  which 
was  built  upon  this  principle,  every  grade  of  life  in  the  state  had  its 
definite  price.  As  the  possessions  of  the  freeman  were,  by  the  ten- 
dency of  their  institutions,  kept  nearly  proportional  to  his  position, 
suffering  here  he  suffered  in  all  his  civil  privileges,  to  a  degree  which 
made  the  compromise  seem  not  unreasonable.  At  the  same  time,  in 
the  state  of  society  which  then  existed,  the  custom  referred  to  was 
of  immense  value  in  preventing  the  growth  of  intestine  feuds,  which 
would  have  been  almost  destructive  to  the  commonwealth. 

Underlying  all  which  we  can  say  of  the  formal  administration  of 
the  ancient  German  government,  the  fact  of  preeminent  interest  to 


88  NOTES. 

us  is  the  control  which  even  then  was  exercised  by  public  sentiment. 
Cowards  and  knaves  were  few,  because  they  would  not  be  tolerated. 
Violence  was  checked  more  by  sentiment  than  by  legislation.  The 
government  was  simple  and  yet  sufficient,  because  the  subjects  were 
a  simple  people.  The  magistrates,  the  chiefs,  the  national  leaders, 
even  the  kings,  were  in  the  control  of  the  freemen.  The  people  may 
have  been  uncultivated,  uncouth,  barbaric,  and  their  efforts  and  their 
toils,  their  methods  both  of  enjoyment  and  of  work,  illustrated  their 
semi-civilized  characteristics,  yet  their  homes  were  peaceful,  their 
children  were  aspiring,  their  whole  moral  atmosphere  was  pure. 
There  are  to-day  a  great  many  millions  of  people  scattered  through 
Europe  and  America,  constituting  the  most  prosperous  common- 
wealths which  have  ever  been  developed  in  human  history,  proving 
themselves  the  best  citizens  which  any  commonwealth  could  possibly 
have,  people  who  by  their  energy  are  conquering  the  world,  and  by 
their  patient  industry  are  holding  its  richest  treasures,  who  have 
reason  to  look  back  with  grateful  appreciation  to  the  vigorous  virtues 
of  their  Germanic  forefathers  two  thousand  years  ago.  H.  M.  T. 

The  treatise  DE  SITU,  MORIBCS  ET  POPULIS  GERMANIAK,  was  writ- 
ten (as  appears  from  the  treatise  itself,  XXXVII)  in  the  second  con- 
sulship of  the  Emperor  Trajan,  A.  U.  C.  851,  A.  D.  98.  The  design 
of  the  author  in  its  publication  has  been  variously  interpreted.  From 
the  censure  which  it  frequently  passes  upon  the  corruption  and  de- 
generacy of  the  times,  it  has  been  considered  as  a  mere  satire  upon 
Roman  manners  in  the  age  of  Tacitus.  But  to  say  nothing  of  the  ill 
adaptation  of  the  whole  plan  to  a  satirical  work,  there  are  large  parts 
of  the  treatise  which  must  have  been  prepared  with  great  labor,  and 
yet  can  have  no  possible  bearing  on  such  a  design.  Satires  are  not 
wont  to  abound  in  historical  notices  and  geographical  details  espe- 
cially touching  a  foreign  and  distnnt  land. 

The  same  objection  lies  against  the  political  ends,  which  have 
been  imputed  to  the  author,  such  as  the  persuading  of  Trajan  to  en- 
gage, or  not  to  engage,  in  a  war  with  the  Germans,  as  the  most  po- 
tent and  dangerous  enemy  of  Rome.  For  both  these  aims  have  been 
alleged,  and  we  might  content  ourselves  with  placing  the  one  as  an 
offset  against  the  other.  But,  aside  from  the  neutralizing  force  of  such 
contradictions,  wherefore  such  an  imposing  array  of  geographical 
research,  of  historical  lore,  of  political  and  moral  philosophy,  for 
the  accomplishment  of  so  simple  a  purpose  ?  And  why  is  the  pur- 


GERMANIA.  89 

pose  so  scrupulously  concealed  that  confessedly  it  can  be  gathered 
only  from  obscure  intimations,  and  those  of  ambiguous  import  ?  Be- 
sides, there  are  passages  whose  tendency  must  have  been  directly 
counter  to  either  of  these  alleged  aims  (cf.  note  XXXIII). 

The  author  does,  indeed,  in  the  passage  just  cited,  seem  to  appre- 
ciate with  almost  prophetic  accuracy  those  dangers  to  the  Roman 
Empire  which  were  so  fearfully  illustrated  in  its  subsequent  fall  be- 
neath the  power  of  the  German  tribes  ;  and  he  utters,  as  what  true 
Roman  would  not  in  such  forebodings,  the  warnings  and  the  prayers 
of  a  patriot  sage.  But  he  does  this  only  in  episodes,  which  are  so 
manifestly  incidental,  and  yet  arise  so  naturally  out  of  the  narrative 
or  description,  that  it  is  truly  surprising  it  should  ever  have  occurred 
to  any  reader  to  seek  in  them  the  key  to  the  whole  treatise. 

The  entire  warp  and  woof  of  the  work  is  obviously  historical  and 
geographical.  The  satire,  the  political  maxims,  the  moral  sentiments, 
and  all  the  rest,  are  merely  incidental,  interwoven  for  the  sake  of 
instruction  and  embellishment,  inwrought  because  a  mind  so  thought- 
ful and  so  acute  as  that  of  Tacitus  could  not  leave  them  out.  Taci- 
tus had  long  been  collecting  the  materials  for  his  Roman  Histories. 
In  so  doing,  his  attention  was  necessarily  drawn  often  and  with  spe- 
cial interest  to  a  people  who,  for  two  centuries  and  more,  had  been 
the  most  formidable  enemy  of  the  Roman  State.  In  introducing 
them  into  his  history,  he  would  naturally  wish  to  give  some  prelimi- 
nary account  of  their  origin,  manners,  and  institutions,  as  he  does 
in  introducing  the  Jews  in  the  Fifth  Book  of  his  Histories,  which 
happens  to  be  in  part  preserved.  Nor  would  it  be  strange  if  he 
should,  with  this  view,  collect  a  mass  of  materials,  which  he  could 
not  incorporate  entire  into  a  work  of  such  compass,  and  which  any 
slight  occasion  might  induce  him  to  publish  in  a  separate  form,  per- 
haps as  a  sort  of  forerunner  to  his  Histories.*  Such  an  occasion 
now  was  furnished  in  the  campaigns  and  victories  of  Trajan,  who, 
at  the  time  of  his  elevation  to  the  imperial  power,  was  at  the  head 
of  the  Roman  armies  in  Germany,  where  he  also  remained  for  a  year 
or  more  after  his  accession  to  the  throne,  till  he  had  received  the 

*  It  has  even  been  argued  by  highly  respectable  scholars  that  the  Germania 
of  Tacitus  is  itself  only  such  a  collection  of  materials,  not  published  by  the  au- 
thor, and  never  intended  for  publication  in  that  form.  But  it  is  quite  too  me- 
thodical, too  studied,  and  too  finished  a  work  to  admit  of  that  supposition  (cf. 
Prolegom.  ofK.). 


90  NOTES. 

submission  of  the  hostile  tribes,  and  wiped  away  the  disgrace  which 
the  Germans,  beyond  any  other  nation  of  that  age,  had  brought  upon 
the  Roman  arms.  Such  a  people  at  such  a  time  could  not  fail  to  be 
an  object  of  deep  interest  at  Rome.  This  was  the  time  when  Taci- 
tus published  his  work  on  Germany  ;  and  such  are  believed  to  have 
been  the  motives  and  the  circumstances  which  led  to  the  under- 
taking. His  grand  object  was  not  to  point  a  satire  or  to  compass  a 
political  end,  but,  as  he  himself  informs  us  (XXVII),  to  treat  of  the 
origin  and  manners,  the  geography  and  history,  of  the  German 
Tribes. 

The  same  candor  and  sincerity,  the  same  correctness  and  truth- 
fulness, which  characterize  the  Histories,  mark  also  the  work  on 
Germany.  The  author  certainly  aimed  to  speak  the  truth  and  noth- 
ing but  the  truth  on  the  subjects  of  which  he  treats.  Moreover,  he 
had  abundant  means  of  knowing  the  truth,  on  all  the  main  points,  in 
the  character  and  history  of  the  Germans.  It  has  even  been  argued 
from  such  expression  as  vidimus  (VIII)  that  Tacitus  had  himself 
been  *  in  Germany,  and  could,  therefore,  write  from  personal  obser- 
vation. But  the  argument  proceeds  on  a  misinterpretation  of  his  lan- 
guage (cf.  note  in  loc.  cit.).  And  the  use  of  accepimus  (as  hi  XXVII) 
shows  that  he  derived  his  information  from  others.  But  the  Ro- 
mans had  been  in  constant  intercourse  and  connection,  civil  or  mili- 
tary, with  the  Germans,  for  two  hundred  years.  Germany  furnished 
a  wide  theatre  for  their  greatest  commanders,  and  a  fruitful  theme 
for  their  best  authors,  some  of  whom,  as  Julius  Caesar  (to  whom 
Tacitus  particularly  refers,  XXVIII),  were  themselves  the  chief  ac- 
tors in  what  they  relate.  These  authors,  some  of  whose  contribu- 
tions to  the  history  of  Germany  are  now  lost  (e.  g.,  the  elder  Pliny, 
who  wrote  twenty  books  on  the  German  wars),  must  have  all  been 
in  the  hands  of  Tacitus,  and  were,  doubtless,  consulted  by  him ;  not, 
however,  as  a  servile  copyist  or  mere  compiler  (for  he  sometimes 

*  Gustav  Freytag,  in  his  "  Bilder  ous  der  deutschen  Vergangenheit,"  argues 
from  the  vividness  and  minuteness  of  the  descriptions  given  that  Tacitus  must 
himself  have  traveled  in  Germany,  or  have  gained  his  information  directly  from 
some  traveler  of  rank  ;  a  military  officer  or  a  merchant  would  have  given  more 
prominence  to  other  points— the  soldierly  qualities  of  the  Germans  and  their  rela- 
tions of  rank,  or  their  markets,  methods  of  trade,  or  judicial  customs.  lie  seems 
to  be  better  acquainted  with  the  tribes  of  the  North  (Chatti,  Chauci,  Frisii,  &c.) 
than  with  those  of  the  South.  Thus  in  what  ho  writes,  as  also  in  what  he  omits 
to  write,  he  shows  the  peculiarities  of  a  tourist. 


GERMANIA.  91 

differs  from  his  authorities,  from  Caesar  even,  whom  he  declares  to 
be  the  best  of  them),  but  as  a  discriminating  and  judicious  inquirer. 
The  account  of  German  customs  and  institutions  may,  therefore,  be 
relied  on,  from  the  intrinsic  credibility  of  the  author.  It  receives 
confirmation,  also,  from  its  general  accordance  with  other  early  ac- 
counts of  the  Germans,  and  with  their  better  known  subsequent 
history,  as  well  as  from  its  strong  analogy  to  the  well-known  habits 
of  our  American  aborigines,  and  other  tribes  in  a  like  stage  of  civ- 
ilization (cf.  note  XV).  The  geographical  details  are  composed 
with  all  the  accuracy  which  the  ever-shifting  positions  and  relations 
of  warring  and  wandering  tribes  rendered  possible  in  the  nature  of 
the  case  (cf.  note  XXVIII).  In  sentiment,  the  treatise  is  surpassing- 
ly rich  and  instructive,  like  all  the  works  of  this  prince  of  philosophi- 
cal historians.  In  style,  it  is  concise  and  nervous,  yet  quite  rhetori- 
cal, and,  in  parts,  even  poetical  to  a  fault  (see  notes  passim,  cf.  also 
Monboddo's  critique  on  the  style  of  Tacitus).  "  The  work,"  says 
La  Bletterie,  "  is  brief  without  being  superficial.  Within  the  com- 
pass of  a  few  pages  it  comprises  more  of  ethics  and  politics,  more 
fine  delineations  of  character,  more  substance  and  pith  (s«c),  than 
can  be  collected  from  many  a  ponderous  volume.  It  is  not  one  of 
those  barely  agreeable  descriptions  which  gradually  diffuse  their 
influence  over  the  soul,  and  leave  it  in  undisturbed  tranquillity.  It 
is  a  picture  in  strong  light,  like  the  subject  itself,  full  of  fire,  of 
sentiment,  of  lightning-flashes,  that  go  at  once  to  the  heart.  We  im- 
agine ourselves  in  Germany ;  we  become  familiar  with  these  so-called 
barbarians ;  we  pardon  their  faults,  and  almost  their  vices,  out  of  re- 
gard to  their  virtues ;  and,  in  our  moments  of  enthusiasm,  we  even 
wish  we  were  Germans." 

The  following  remarks  of  Murphy  will  illustrate  the  value  of  the 
treatise  to  modern  Europeans  and  their  descendants :  "  It  is  a  draught 
of  savage  manners,  delineated  by  a  masterly  hand  ;  the  more  inter- 
esting, as  the  part  of  the  world  which  it  describes  was  the  seminary 
of  the  modern  European  nations,  the  VAGINA  GENTIUM,  as  historians 
have  emphatically  called  it.  The  work  is  short,  but,  as  Montesquieu 
observes,  it  is  the  work  of  a  man  who  abridged  everything,  because 
he  knew  everything.  A  thorough  knowledge  of  the  transactions  of 
barbarous  ages  will  throw  more  light  than  is  generally  imagined  on 
the  laws  of  modern  times.  Wherever  the  barbarians,  who  issued 
from  their  northern  hive,  settled  in  new  habitations,  they  carried 
5 


92  NOTES. 

with  them  their  native  genius,  their  original  manners,  and  the  first 
rudiments  of  the  political  system  which  has  prevailed  in  different 
parts  of  Europe.  They  established  monarchy  and  liberty,  subordi- 
nation and  freedom,  the  prerogative  of  the  prince  and  the  rights  of 
the  subject,  all  united  in  so  bold  a  combination  that  the  fabric,  in 
some  places,  stands  to  this  hour  the  wonder  of  mankind.  The  Brit- 
ish Constitution,  says  Montesquieu,  came  out  of  the  woods  of  Ger- 
many. What  the  state  of  this  country  (Britain)  was  before  the  ar- 
rival of  our  Saxon  ancestors,  Tacitus  has  shown  in  the  life  of  Agri- 
cola.  If  we  add  to  his  account  of  the  Germans  and  Britons  what 
has  been  transmitted  to  us  concerning  them  by  Julius  Caesar,  we 
shall  see  the  origin  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  government,  the  great  out- 
line of  that  Gothic  constitution  under  which  the  people  enjoy  their 
rights  and  liberties  at  this  hour.  Montesquieu,  speaking  of  his  own 
country,  declares  it  impossible  to  form  an  adequate  notion  of  the 
French  monarchy  and  the  changes  of  their  government,  without  a 
previous  inquiry  into  the  manners,  genius,  and  spirit  of  the  German 
nations.  Much  of  what  was  incorporated  with  the  institutions  of 
those  fierce  invaders  has  flowed  down  in  the  stream  of  time,  and 
still  mingles  with  our  modern  jurisprudence.  The  subject,  it  is  con- 
ceived, is  interesting  to  every  Briton.  In  the  manners  of  the  Ger- 
mans, the  reader  will  see  our  present  frame  of  government,  as  it 
were,  in  its  cradle,  gentl?  omabula  nostrae  I  in  the  Germans  them- 
selves, a  fierce  and  warlike  people,  to  whom  this  country  owes  that 
spirit  of  liberty  which,  through  so  many  centuries,  has  preserved 
our  excellent  form  of  government,  and  raised  the  glory  of  the  Brit- 
ish nation : 

" Genus  unde  Latinum, 

Albanique  patres,  atque  altae  moenia  Eomae." 

CHAP.  I.  Germania  stands  first  as  the  emphatic  word,  and  is 
followed  by  omnis  for  explanation.  Germania  omnis  here  does  not 
include  Germania  Prima  and  Secunda,  which  were  Roman  prov- 
inces on  the  left  bank  of  the  Rhine  (so  called  because  settled  by 
Germans).  It  denotes  Germany  proper,  as  a  whole,  in  distinction 
from  the  provinces  just  mentioned  and  from  the  several  tribes,  of 
which  Tacitus  treats  in  the  latter  part  of  the  work.  So  Caesar  (B. 
G.  1,  1)  uses  Gallia  omnis,  as  exclusive  of  the  Roman  provinces 
called  Gaul  and  inclusive  of  the  three  parts,  which  he  proceeds  to 
specify. 


GERMANIA.  93 

Gcdlis-Pannoniis.  People  used  for  the  countries.  Cf.  His.  5, 
6  :  Phoenices.  Gaul,  now  France ;  Rhaelia,  the  country  of  the  Ori- 
sons and  the  Tyrol,  with  part  of  Bavaria ;  Pannonia,  Lower  Hungary 
and  part  of  Austria.  Germany  was  separated  from  Gaul  by  the 
Rhine ;  from  Rhaetia  and  Pannonia,  by  the  Danube. — Rheno  el  Da- 
nubio.  Rhine  and  Rhone  are  probably  different  forms  of  the  same 
root  (Rh-n).  (It  is  a  Celtic  root,  R-n  meaning  swift.  Sch.  S.).  Dan- 
ube, in  like  manner,  has  the  same  root  as  Dnieper  (Dn-p) ;  perhaps 
also  the  same  as  Don  and  Dwina^D— n).  So  there  are  several  Avons 
in  England  and  Scotland.  Cf.  Latham's  Germania  sub  voc. 

Sarmatis  Dacisque.  The  Slavonic  Tribes  were  called  Sarma- 
tians  by  the  ancients.  Sarmatia  included  the  country  north  of  the 
Carpathian  Mountains,  between  the  Vistula  and  the  Don  in  Europe, 
together  with  the  adjacent  part  of  Asia,  without  any  definite  limits 
towards  the  north,  which  was  terra  incognita  to  the  ancients — in 
short,  Sarmatia  was  Russia,  as  far  as  known  at  that  time.  Dacia 
lay  between  the  Carpathian  Mountains  on  the  north,  and  the  Danube 
on  the  south,  including  Upper  Hungary,  Transylvania,  Wallachia, 
and  Moldavia. 

Mutuo  metu.  A  rather  poetical  boundary !  Observe  also  the 
alliteration.  At  the  same  time,  the  words  are  not  a  bad  description 
of  those  wide  and  solitary  wastes,  which,  as  Caesar  informs  us  (B. 
G.  6,  23),  the  Germans  delighted  to  interpose  between  themselves 
and  other  nations,  so  that  it  might  appear  that  no  one  dared  to  dwell 
near  them. — Montibus.  The  Carpathian. — Cetera.  Ceteram  Ger- 
maniae  partem. 

Sinus.  This  word  denotes  any  thing  with  a  curved  outline  (cf. 
29,  also  A.  23) ;  hence  bays,  peninsulas,  and  prominent  bends  or 
borders,  whether  of  land  or  water.  Here  peninsulas  (particularly 
that  of  Jutland,  now  Denmark),  for  it  is  to  the  author's  purpose 
here  to  speak  of  land  rather  than  water,  and  the  ocean  is  more  prop- 
erly said  to  embrace  peninsulas,  than  gulfs  and  bays.  Its  association 
with  islands  here  favors  the  same  interpretation.  So  Passow,  Or. 
Rit.  Others,  with  less  propriety,  refer  it  to  the  gulfs  and  bays, 
which  so  mark  the  Baltic  and  the  German  Oceans. — Oceanus  here 
includes  both  the  Baltic  Sea  and  the  German  Ocean  (Oceanus  Sep- 
tentrionalis). 

Insularum-spatia.  Islands  of  vast  extent,  viz.  Funen,  Zealand, 
&c.  Scandinavia  also  (now  Sweden  and  Norway)  was  regarded  by 


94  NOTES. 

the  ancients  as  an  island,  cf.  Plin.  Nat.  His.  iv.  27 :  quarum  (insu- 
larum)  clarissima  Scandinavia  est,  incompertae  magnitudinis. 

Nuper-regibus.  Understand  with  this  clause  ut  compertum  est. 
The  above-mentioned  features  of  the  Northern  Ocean  had  been 
discovered  in  the  prosecution  of  the  late  wars  of  the  Romans  among 
the  tribes  and  kings  previously  unknown.  Nuper  is  to  be  taken  in 
a  general  sense=recentioribus  temporibus,  cf.  nupcr  additum,  §  2, 
where  it  goes  back  one  hundred  and  fifty  years  to  the  age  of  Julius 
Caesar. — Bellum.  War  in  general,  no  particular  war. —  Versus. 
This  word  has  been  considered  by  some  as  an  adverb,  and  by  others 
as  a  preposition.  It  is  better,  however,  to  regard  it  as  a  participle, 
like  ortus,  with  which  it  is  connected,  though  without  a  conjunction 
expressed.  Hitter  omits  in. 

Molli  el  clementer  edito.  Of  gentle  slope  and  moderate  elevation,  in 
studied  antithesis  to  inaccesso  ac  praecipiti,  lofty  and  steep.  In  like 
manner,  jugo,  ridge,  summit,  is  contrasted  with  vertice,  peak,  height,  cf. 
Virg.  Eel.  9,  7 :  moUi  clivo  ;  Ann.  17,  38 :  colles  clementer  assurgcntcs. 
The  Rhaetian  Alps,  now  the  mountains  of  the  Orisons.  Alp  is  a 
Celtic  word  =  hill.  Albion  has  the  same  root  —  hilly  country.  Mons 
Abnoba  (a  Celtic  word  =  water  mountain,  i.  e.  mountains  urrounded 
by  water.  Sch.  S.)  is  the  northern  part  of  the  Schwarzwald,  or  Black 
Forest. — Erumpat,  al.  erumpit.  But  the  best  MSS.  and  all  the  re- 
cent editions  have  erumpat:  and  Tacitus  never  uses  the  pres.  ind. 
after  donee,  until,  cf.  Eup.  and  Kit.  in  loc.  Whenever  he  uses  the  pres- 
ent after  donee,  until,  he  seems  to  have  conceived  the  relation  of  the 
two  clauses,  which  it  connects,  as  that  of  a  means  to  an  end,  or  a 
condition  to  a  result,  and  hence  to  have  used  the  subj.  cf.  chap.  20 : 
scparet;  31.  absolvat ;  35.  sinuetur ;  Ann.  2,  6:  misceatur.  The 
two  examples  last  cited,  like  this,  describe  the  course  of  a  river  and 
boundary  line.  For  the  general  rule  of  the  modes  after  donee,  see  H. 
522,  II.  1 ;  A.  and  G.  328 ;  Z.  575.  See  also  notes  H.  1,  ]  3.  35.— &»p- 
timum.  According  to  the  common  understanding,  the  Danube  had 
seven  mouths.  So  Strabo,  Mela,  Ammian,  and  Ovid ;  Pliny  makes 
six.  T.  reconciles  the  two  accounts.  The  enim  inserted  after  septi- 
mum  in  most  editions  is  not  found  in  the  best  MSS.  and  is  unneces- 
sary. Or.  and  Rit.  omit  it. 

II.  Ipsos  marks  the  transition  from  the  country  to  the  people — 
the  Germans  themselves.  So  A.  13  :  Ipsi  Britanni. 

Crcdiderim.     Subj.  attice.     A  modest  way  of  expressing  his 


GERMANIA.  95 

opinion,  like  our :  I  should  say,  I  am  inclined  to  think.  H.  486, 
I.  3;  A.  andG.  811;  Z.  527. 

Adventibus  et  hospitiis.  Immigrants  and  visitors.  Adventibus 
certae  sedes,  hospiliis  peregrinationes  significantur.  Gun.  Both 
abstract  for  concrete.  DSd.  compares  ZITOIKOI  and  ^TQIKOI. 

Terra-advehebantur.  Zeugma  for  terra  adveniebant,  classibus 
advchebantur.  H.  704,  I.  2  ;  Z.  775. 

Nec-d.  These  correlatives  connect  the  members  more  closely 
than  et-et ;  as  in  Greek  otfre-Te.  The  sentiment  here  advanced 
touching  colonization  (as  by  sea,  rather  than  by  land),  though  true 
of  Carthage,  Sicily,  and  most  Grecian  colonies,  is  directly  the  re- 
verse of  the  general  fact ;  and  Germany  itself  is  now  known  to  have 
received  its  population  by  land  emigration  from  western  Asia.  The 
Germans,  as  we  learn  from  affinities  of  languages  and  occasional 
references  of  historians  and  geographers,  belonged  to  the  same  great 
stock  of  the  human  family  with  the  Goths  and  Scythians,  and  may 
be  traced  back  to  that  hive  of  nations,  that  primitive  residence  of 
mankind,  the  country  cast  and  south  of  the  Caspian  Sea  and  in  the 
vicinity  of  Mount  Ararat :  cf.  Tur.  His.  Ang.  Sax.  B.  II.  C.  1  ;  also 
Donaldson's  New  Cratylus,  B.  I.  Chap.  4.  Latham's  dogmatic  skep- 
ticism will  hardly  shake  the  now  established  faith  on  this  subject. 
The  science  of  ethnography  was  unknown  to  the  ancients.  Tacitus 
had  not  the  remotest  idea  that  all  mankind  were  sprung  from  a 
common  ancestry,  and  diffused  themselves  over  the  world  from  a 
common  centre,  a  fact  asserted  in  the  Scriptures,  and  daily  receiving 
fresh  confirmation  from  literature  and  science.  Hence  he  speaks  of 
the  Germans  as  indigenas,  which  he  explains  below  by  cditum  terra, 
sprung  from  the  earth,  like  the  mutum  et  turpe  pecus  of  Hor.  Sat. 
1.  3,  100,  cf.  A.  11. 

Mutare  quaercbant.  Quaercre  with  inf.  is  poet,  constr.,  found, 
however,  in  later  prose  writers,  and  once  in  Cic.  (de  Fin.  313  :  quae- 
ris  scire,  inclosed  in  brackets  in  Tauchnitz's  edition),  to  avoid  repe- 
tition of  cupio.  Cupio  or  nolo  mutare  would  be  regular  classic 
prose. 

•  Advcrsus.  That  the  author  here  uses  adversus  in  some  unusual 
and  recondite  sense  is  intimated  by  the  clause :  ut  sic  dixcrim.  It 
is  understood,  by  some,  of  a  sea  unfriendly  to  navigation.  But  its 
connection  by  quo  with  immensus  ultra  shows  that  it  refers  to  posi- 
tion, and  means  lying  opposite,  i.  e.  belonging,  as  it  were,  to  another 


96  NOTES. 

hemisphere  or  world  from  ours ;  for  so  the  Romans  regarded  the 
Northern  Ocean  and  Britain  itself,  cf.  A.  12  :  ultra  nostri  orbis  men. 
suram ;  G.  17:  exterior  oceanus.  So  Cic.  (Som.  Scip.  6)  says: 
Homines  partim  obliquos,  partim  aversos,  partim  etiam  advcrsos, 
stare  vobis.  This  interpretation  is  confirmed  by  ab  orbe  nostra  in 
the  antithesis.  On  the  use  of  ut  sic  dixerim  for  ut  sic  dicam,  which 
is  peculiar  to  the  silver  age,  see'  Z.  628. 

Asia,  ec.  Minor.  Africa,  sc.  the  Roman  Province  of  that  nanic, 
comprising  the  territory  of  Carthage. — Peterct.  The  question  implies 
a  negative  answer,  cf.  H.  486,  II. ;  A.  and  G.  206,  3  ;  Z.  530.  The 
subj.  implies  a  protasis  understood :  if  he  could,  or  the  like. 

Sit.  Praesens,  ut  de  re  vera.  Giin.  Nisi  si  is  nearly  equiva- 
lent to  nisi  forte:  unless  perchance  ;  unless  if  we  may  suppose  the 
case.  Cf.  Wr.  note  on  Ann.  2,  63,  and  Hand's  Tursellinus,  3,  240. 

Memoriae  et  annalium.  Properly  opposed  to  each  other  as  tra- 
dition and  written  history,  though  we  are  not  to  infer  that  written 
books  existed  in  Germany  in  the  age  of  Tacitus. 

Carminibw.  Songs,  ballads  (from  cano).  Songs  and  rude  poe- 
try have  been,  in  all  savage  countries,  the  memorials  of  public  trans- 
actions, e.  g.  the  runes  of  the  Goths,  the  bards  of  the  Britons  and 
Celts,  the  scalds  of  Scandinavia,  &c. 

Tuistonem.  The  god  from  whom  Tuesday  takes  its  name,  as 
Wednesday  from  Woden,  Thursday  from  Thorr,  &c.,  cf.  Sharon  Tur- 
ner's His.  of  Ang.  Sax.  app.  to  book  2,  chap.  3.  Some  find  in  the 
name  of  this  god  the  root  of  the  words  Teutonic,  Dutch  (Germ. 
Deutsche  or  Teutsche),  &c.  Possibly  it  has  the  same  root  as  the 
Latin  divus,  dius,  deus,  and  the  Greek  Oetos,  Sws,  6e6s,  cf.  Grimm's 
Deutsche  Mythologie,  sub.  v. 

Terra  editum  =  indigena  above ;  and  -yijyevfis  and  avrA-xQaiv  in 
Greek. 

Mannum.  Probably  a  name  derived  from  and  simply  representa- 
tive of  the  race,  i.  e.  man. 

Oriyinem  =  auctores.    It  is  predicate  after  Mannum. 

Ut  in  licentia  vetustatis.  As  in  the  license  of  antiquity,  i.  e.  since 
such  license  is  allowed  in  regard  to  ancient  times. 

Ingaevones.  "  According  to  some  German  antiquaries,  the  Ingae- 
vones  are  die  Einwohner,  those  dwelling  inward  toward  the  sea  ;  the 
Istaevoncs  are  die  Westwohner,  the  inhabitants  of  the  western  parts  ; 
and  the  Hermiones  are  die  Herumwohner,  midland  inhabitants,"  Ky. 


GERMANIA.  97 

cf.  Kiessling  in  loc.  Others,  e.  g.  Zeuss  and  Grimm,  with  more 
probability,  find  in  these  names  the  roots  of  German  words  signifi- 
cant of  honor  and  bravery,  assumed  by  different  tribes  or  confedera- 
cies as  epithets  or  titles  of  distinction.  Grimm  identifies  these  three 
divisions  with  the  Franks,  Saxons,  and  Thuringians,  of  a  later  age. 
See  further,  note  chap.  27.  We  are  unable  to  associate  with  these 
names  any  prominent  influence  in  the  political  history  of  the  nation, 
and  yet  they  seem  to  be  significant  of  the  fact  that  long  before  the 
historical  period  the  Germans  were  gravitating  into  three  groups 
corresponding  more  or  less  closely  to  the  Franks  on  the  west,  and 
the  people  of  the  High  and  Low  German  dialects  north  and  east. 
Even  among  the  Romans  this  does  not  appear  to  have  been  taken 
as  a  complete  classification,  as  Pliny  the  elder  gives  two  additional 
groups. 

Vocentur.  The  subj.  expresses  the  opinion  of  others,  not  the 
direct  affirmation  of  the  author.  H.  529  ;  A.  and  G.  340  ;  Z.  549. 

Deo  =  hoc  deo,  sc.  Mannus  =  Germ.  Mann,  Eng.  Man. 

Marsos,  Gambrivios.  Under  the  name  of  Franci  and  Salii  these 
tribes  afterwards  became  formidable  to  the  Romans.  Cf.  Prichard's 
Researches  into  the  Physical  History  of  Mankind,  Vol.  III.  chap.  6, 
sec.  2. — Suevos,  cf.  note,  38. —  Vandalios.  The  Vandals,  now  so 
familiar  in  history. 

Addilum,  sc.  essc,  depending  on  ajfirmant. 

Nunc  Tungri,  sc.  vocentur,  cf.  His.  4,  15,  16.  In  confirmation 
of  the  historical  accuracy  of  this  passage,  Gr.  remarks,  that  Caes. 
(B.  G.  2,  4)  does  not  mention  the  Tungri,  but  names  four  tribes  on 
the  left  bank  of  the  Rhine,  who,  he  says,  are  called  by  the  common 
name  of  Germans;  while  Pliny  (Nat.  His.  4,  31),  a  century  later, 
gives  not  the  names  of  these  four  tribes,  but  calls  them  by  the  new 
name,  Tungri. 

Ita-vocarentur.  Locus  vcxatissimus  !  exclaim  all  the  critics. 
And  so  they  set  themselves  to  amend  the  text  by  conjecture.  Some 
have  written  in  nomen  gentis  instead  of  non  gcntis.  Others  have 
proposed  a  victorum  metu,  or  a  victo  ob  mcfum,  or  a  victis  ob  me- 
tum.  But  these  emendations  are  wholly  conjectural  and  unnecessary. 
Giinther  and  Walch  render  a  victore,  from  the  victorious  tribe,  i.  e. 
after  the  name  of  that  tribe.  But  a  se  ipsis  means  by  themselves, 
and  the  antithesis  doubtless  requires  a  to  be  understood  in  the  same 
sense  in  both  clauses.  Griiber  translates  and  explains  thus :  "  In 


98  NOTES. 

this  way  the  name  of  a  single  tribe,  and  not  of  the  whole  people, 
has  come  into  use,  so  that  all,  at  first  by  the  victor  (the  Tungri),  in 
order  to  inspire  fear,  then  by  themselves  (by  the  mouth  of  the  whole 
people),  when  once  the  name  became  known,  were  called  by  the 
name  of  Germans.  That  is,  the  Tungri  called  all  the  kindred  tribes 
that  dwelt  beyond  the  Rhine,  Germans,  in  order  to  inspire  fear  by 
the  wide  extension  of  the  name,  since  they  gave  themselves  out  to 
be  a  part  of  so  vast  a  people ;  but  at  length  all  the  tribes  began  to 
call  themselves  by  this  name,  probably  because  they  were  pleased  to 
see  the  fear  which  it  excited."  This  is,  on  the  whole,  the  most  sat- 
isfactory explanation  of  the  passage,  and  meets  the  essential  con- 
currence of  Wr.,  Or.  and  Dod. — Germani.  If  of  German  etymolo- 
gy, this  word  =  gehr  or  wehr  (Fr.  guerre)  and  mann,  men  of  war  ; 
hence  the  metus,  which  the  name  carried  with  it.  If  it  is  a  Latin 
word  corresponding  only  in  sense  with  the  original  German,  then  = 
brethren.  It  will  be  seen,  that  either  etymology  would  accord  with 
Griiber's  explanation  of  the  whole  passage — in  either  case,  the  name 
would  inspire  fear.  There  is  a  strong  tendency  among  the  latest 
commentators  to  consider  the  word  as  coming  to  the  Roman  from 
the  Gauls,  and  hence  of  Celtic  origin,  a  theory  which  this  passage 
of  T.  would  rather  strengthen  than  weaken.  A  people  often  bear 
quite  different  names  abroad  from  that  by  which  they  call  them- 
selves at  home.  Thus  the  people,  whom  we  call  Germans,  call  them- 
selves Deutsche  (Dutch),  and  are  called  by  the  French  Allemands, 
cf.  Latham.  Vbcarentur  is  subj.  because  it  stands  hi  a  subordinate 
clause  of  the  oratio  obliqua,  cf.  H.  631 ;  A.  and  G.  336  ;  Z.  603. 

Metum.  Here  taken  in  an  active  sense ;  oftener  passive,  but 
used  in  both  senses.  Quintilian  speaks  of  metum  duplicem,  quern 
patimur  et  quern  facimus  (6,  2,  21),  cf.  A.  44 ;  nihil  metus  in  vultu, 
i.  e.  nothing  to  inspire  fear  in  his  countenance.  In  like  manner 
admi  ratio  (§  7)  is  used  for  the  admiration  which  one  excites,  though 
it  usually  denotes  the  admiration  which  one  feels.  For  obt  cf.  Ann. 
1,  79  :  ob  moderandas  Tiberis  exundationes. 

Nalionis-gentis.  Gens  is  often  used  by  T.  as  a  synonym  with 
natio.  But  in  antithesis,  gens  is  the  whole,  of  which  naliones  or 
populi  are  the  parts,  e.  g.  G.  4 :  populos-gentem  ;  §  14  :  nationes- 
genti.  In  like  manner,  in  the  civil  constitution  of  Rome,  a  gens 
included  several  related  families. 

III.    Hcrculem.     Perhaps  =  German  Donar  (Thorr).      Romana 


GERMAXIA.  99 

interpretationc  =  Hercules.  The  Romans  found  their  gods  every- 
where, and  ascribed  to  Hercules,  quidquid  ubique  magnificum  est, 
cf.  note  34 :  quicquid-conscnsimus.  That  this  is  a  Roman  account 
of  the  matter  is  evident,  from  the  use  of  cos,  for,  if  the  Germans 
were  the  subject  of  memorant,  se  must  have  been  used.  On  the 
use  of  et  here,  cf.  note  11. 

Primum  =  ut  principem,  fortissimum.     Gun. 

Haec  quoque.  Haec  is  rendered  sucJi  by  Ritter.  But  it  seems 
rather,  as  Or.  and  Dod.  explain  it,  to  imply  nearness  and  familiarity 
to  the  mind  of  the  author  and  his  readers  :  these  well-known  songs. 
So  20 :  in  haec  corpora,  quae  miramur.  Quoque,  like  quidem,  fol- 
lows the  emphatic  word  hi  a  clause,  H.  602,  III. ;  A.  and  G.  345  b ; 
Z.  355. 

Relalu,  called  cantus  trux,  H.  2,  22.  A  Tacitean  word.  Freund. 
Cf.  II.  1,  30. 

Baritum.  Al.  barditum  and  barritum.  But  the  latter  has  no 
MS.  authority,  and  the  former  seems  to  have  been  suggested  by  the 
bards  of  the  Gauls,  of  whose  existence  among  the  Germans  however 
there  is  no  evidence.  Dod.  says  the  root  of  the  word  is  common  to 
the  Greek,  Latin,  and  German  languages,  viz.  baren,  i.  e.  fremere,  a 
verb  still  used  by  the  Batavians,  and  the  noun  bar,  i.  e.  carmen,  of 
frequent  occurrence  in  Saxon  poetry  to  this  day. 

Terrent  trepldantve.  They  inspire  terror  or  tremble  with  fear,  ac- 
cording as  the  line  (the  troops  drawn  up  in  battle  array)  has  sounded, 
sc.  the  baritus  or  battle  cry.  Thus  the  Batavians  perceived,  that  the 
sonitus  acid  on  the  part  of  the  Romans  was  more  feeble  than  their 
own,  and  pressed  on,  as  to  certain  triumph.  H.  4, 18.  So  the  High- 
landers augured  victory,  if  their  shouts  were  louder  than  those  of 
the  enemy.  See  Murphy  in  loco. 

Rcpercussu.  A  post-Augustan  word.  The  earlier  Latin  authors 
would  have  said  repcrcussa,  or  repercutiendo.  The  later  Latin,  like 
the  English,  uses  more  abstract  terms. — Nee  lam—vidcntur.  Nor  do 
those  carmina  seem  to  be  so  much  voices  (well  modulated  and  harmon- 
ized), as  acclamations  (unanimous,  but  inarticulate  and  indistinct)  of 
courage.  So  Pliny  uses  concentns  of  the  acclamations  of  the  people, 
Panegyr.  2.  It  is  often  applied  by  the  poets  to  the  concerts  of  birds, 
as  hi  Virg.  Geor.  1,  422.  It  is  here  plural,  cf.  Or.  in  loc.  The  read- 
ing vocis  is  without  MS.  authority. 

Ulixcm.     "  The  love  of  fabulous  history,  which  was  the  passion 


100  NOTES. 

of  ancient  times,  produced  a  new  Hercules  in  every  country,  and 
made  Ulysses  wander  on  every  shore.  Tacitus  mentions  it  as  a  ro- 
mantic tale ;  but  Strabo  seems  willing  to  countenance  the  fiction, 
and  gravely  tells  us  that  Ulysses  founded  a  city,  called  Odyssey,  in 
Spain.  Lipsius  observes  that  Lisbon,  in  the  name  of  Strabo,  had 
the  appellation  of  Ulysippo,  or  Olisipo.  At  this  rate,  he  pleasantly 
adds,  what  should  hinder  us  inhabitants  of  the  Low  Countries  from 
asserting  that  Ulysses  built  the  city  of  Ulyssinga,  and  Circe  founded 
that  of  Circzea  or  Ziriczee  ?  "  Murphy. 

Fabuloso  errore.  Storied,  celebrated  in  song,  cf.  fabulosus  Hy- 
daspes,  Ho.  Od.  1,  22Y.  Ulysses  having  wandered  westward  gave 
plausibility  to  alleged  traces  of  him  in  Gaul,  Spain,  and  Germany. — 
Asciburgium,  Now  Asburg. 

Quin  etiam,  cf.  notes,  13 :  quin  eliam,  and  14 :  quin  immo. — 
Ulixi,  i.  e.  ab  Ulixe,  cf.  Ann.  15,  41 :  Aedes  statoris  Jovis  Romulo 
vota,  i.  e.  by  Romulus.  This  usage  is  especially  frequent  in  the  poets 
and  the  later  prose  writers,  cf.  H.  388,  1 ;  A.  and  G.  232,  a ;  Z.  419  5 
and  in  T.  above  all  others,  cf.  Bot.  Lex.  Tac.  sub  Dativus.  Wr.  and 
Rit.  understand  however  an  altar  (or  monument)  consecrated  to 
Ulysses,  i.  e.  erected  in  honor  of  him  by  the  citizens. 

Adjccto.  Inscribed  with  the  name  of  his  father,  as  well  as  his 
own,  i.  e.  AaepridSri. 

Ch-accis  litleris.  Grecian  characters,  cf.  Caes.  B.  G.  1,  29  :  In 
castris  Helvetiorum,  tabulae  repertae  sunt  litteris  Graecis  confectae  ; 
and  (6,  14)  :  Galli  in  publicis  privatisque  rationibus  Graecis  utuntur 
litteris.  T.  speaks  (Ann.  11,  14)  of  alphabetic  characters,  as  passing 
from  Phenicia  into  Greece,  and  Strabo  (4,  1)  traces  them  from  the 
Grecian  colony  at  Marseilles  into  Gaul,  whence  they  doubtless  passed 
into  Germany,  and  even  into  Britain. 

IV.  Aliis  aliarum.  The  Greek  and  Latin  are  both  fond  of  a 
repetition  of  different  cases  of  the  same  word,  even  where  one  of 
them  is  redundant,  e.  g.  ol6bei>  olos  (Horn.  II.  7,  39),  and  particularly 
in  the  words  fiAAoy  and  alius.  Aliis  is  not,  however,  wholly  re- 
dundant, but  brings  out  more  fully  the  idea :  no  intermarriages,  one 
with  one  nation,  and  another  with  another.  Walch  and  Ritter  omit 
ali  is,  though  it  is  found  in  all  the  MSS. 

Infectos,  imbued,  changed.  Things  are  said  infici  and  imbui, 
which  are  so  penetrated  and  permeated  by  something  else,  that  that 
something  becomes  a  part  of  its  nature  or  substance,  as  inficere 


GERMANIA.  101 

colore,  sanguine,  vencno,  aniraum  virtutibus.  It  docs  not  neces- 
sarily imply  corruption  or  degeneracy. 

Propriam-simuem.  Three  epithets  not  essentially  different,  used 
for  the  sake  of  emphasis  =  peculiar,  pure,  and  sui-generis.  Similis 
takes  the  gen.,  when  it  expresses,  as  here,  an  internal  resemblance 
in  character;  otherwise  the  dat.,  cf.  Z.  411 ;  H.  391,  2.  4  ;  A.  and  G. 
234  R. 

Habitus.  Form  and  features,  external  appearance.  The  physi- 
cal features  of  the  Germans  as  described  by  Tacitus,  though  still 
sufficient  to  distinguish  them  from  the  more  southern  European  na- 
tions, have  proved  less  permanent  than  their  mental  and  social  char- 
acteristics. 

Idem  omnibus.     Cf.  Juv.  13,  164: 

Caerula  quis  stupuit  Germani  lumina  f  jtavam. 
Caesariem,  et  madido  torquentem  cornua  cirro  ? 
Nempe  quod  haec  illis  natura  est  omnibus  una. 

Truces  oculi.  Caesar  refers  to  the  wild  fierceness  of  the  German 
glances,  even  inspiring  fear  among  the  Gauls  (1,  39). 

Magna  corpora.  "  Sidonius  Apollinarius  says  that,  being  in  Ger- 
many and  finding  the  men  so  very  tall,  he  could  not  address  verses 
of  six  feet  to  patrons  who  were  seven  feet  high  : 

Spernit  senipodem  stilnm  Thalia, 

Ex  quo  septipedes  vidit  patronos."    Mur. 

Skeletons  in  the  ancient  graves  of  Germany  are  found  to  vary 
from  5  ft.  10  in.  to  6  ft.  10  in.,  and  even  7  ft.  Cf.  Ukert,  Geog.  III. 
1.  p.  197.  These  skeletons  indicate  a  strong  and  well-formed  body. 

Impetum.  Temporary  exertion,  as  opposed  to  persevering  toil  and 
effort,  laboris  atque  operum. 

Eadem.  Not  so  much  patientia,  as  ad  impetum  valida.  See  a 
like  elliptical  use  of  idem  §  23  :  eadem  temperantia ;  §  10 :  iisdem 
nemoribus.  Also  of  totidem  §  26. 

Jfinime-assucverunt.  "  Least  of  all,  they  are  capable  of  sustain- 
ing thirst  and  heat ;  cold  and  hunger,  they  are  accustomed,  by  their 
soil  and  climate,  to  endure."  Ky.  The  force  of  minime  is  confined 
to  the  first  clause,  and  the  proper  antithetic  particle  is  omitted  at 
the  beginning  of  the  second.  Tolerar-c  depends  on  assueverunt,  and 
belongs  to  both  clauses.  Ve  is  distributive,  referring  coelo  iofrigora 


102  NOTES. 

and  solo  to  inediam.    So  vel  in  H.  1,  62  :  strcnuis  vel  ignavis  spem 
metumque  addere  =  strenuis  spem,  ignavis  metum  addere. 

V.  Terra.  The  soil  of  Germany  has  proved  variable,  but  seldom 
surpassingly  fertile.  From  that  day  to  this  it  has  been  famous  for 
forests.  The  people  were  rather  shepherds  and  herdsmen  than  culti- 
vators, and  their  peculiar  wealth  was  in  their  flocks.  Humidior- 
ventosior.  Humidior  refers  to  paludibus,  ventosior  to  silvis  ;  the 
mountains  (which  were  exposed  to  sweeping  winds)  being  for  the 
most  part  covered  with  forests,  and  the  low  grounds  with  marshes. 
Ventosus  =  Homeric  ijve^eis,  windy,  i.  e.  lofty.  II.  3,  305  :  "\\iov 


Satis  ferax.  Satis  =  segelibus  poetice.  Feraz  is  constructed  with 
abl.,  vid.  Virg.  Geor.  2,  222  :  ferax  olco. 

Impatiens.  Not  to  be  taken  in  the  absolute  sense,  cf.  §  20,  23, 
56,  where  fruit-trees  and  fruits  are  spoken  of. 

Improcera  agrees  withpecora  understood. 

Armentis.  Pecora  =  flocks  in  general.  Armenia  (from  arare,  to 
plough),  larger  cattle  in  particular.  It  may  include  horses. 

Suus  honor.    Their  proper,  i.  e.  usual  size  and  beauty. 

Gloria  frontis.    Poetice  for  cornua.     Their  horns  were  small. 

Numero.  Emphatic  :  number,  rather  than  quality.  Or,  with 
Ritter,  gaudent  may  be  taken  in  the  sense  of  enjoy,  possess  :  they 
have  a  good  number  of  them.  In  the  same  sense  he  interprets  gau- 
dent in  A.  44  :  opibus  nimiis  non  gaudebat. 

Irati,  sc.  quia  opes  sunt  irritamenta  malorum.  Ov.  Met.  1,  140. 
—  Negaverint.  Subj.  H.  525  ;  A.  and  G.  334  ;  Z.  552.  —  Affirmaverim, 
cf.  note,  2:  crediderim. 

Nullam  venam.  "  Mines  of  gold  and  silver  have  sin«e  been  dis- 
covered in  Germany;  the  former,  indeed,  inconsiderable,  but  the 
latter  valuable."  Ky.  T.  himself  in  his  later  work  (the  Annals) 
speaks  of  the  discovery  of  a  silver  mine  in  Germany.  Ann.  11,  20. 

Perindc.  Not  so  much  as  might  be  expected,  or  as  the  Romans, 
and  other  civilized  nations.  So  Gronovius,  Dod.,  and  most  commen- 
tators. So  Rup.  in  loc.  Others,  as  Or.  and  Rit.,  allow  no  ellipsis, 
and  render:  not  much.  See  Hand's  Tursellinus,  vol.  IV.  p.  454. 
We  sometimes  use  not  so  much,  not  so  very,  not  so  bad,  &c.,  for  not 
very,  not  much,  and  not  bad.  Still  the  form  of  expression  strictly 
implies  a  comparison.  And  the  same  is  true  of  hand  pcrinde,  cf. 
Bot.  Lex.  Tac. 


GERMANIA.  103 

Est  vidcrc.  Est  for  licet.  Graece  et  poeticc.  Not  so  used  in  the 
earlier  Latin  prose.  See  Z.  227. 

Non  in  alia  vilitate,  L  e.  eadem  vilitate,  aeque  vilia,  held  in  the 
same  low  estimation. — Humo.  Abl.  of  material. 

Proximi,  sc.  ad  ripam.  Nearest  to  the  Roman  border,  opposed 
to  interiores. 

Serratos.  Not  elsewhere  mentioned;  probably  coins  with  ser- 
rated edges,  still  found.  The  word  is  post-Augustan. 

Bigatos.  Roman  coins  stamped  with  a  biga  or  two-horse  chariot. 
Others  were  stamped  with  a  quadriga  and  called  quadrigati.  The 
bigati  seem  to  have  circulated  freely  in  foreign  lands,  cf.  Ukert's 
Geog.  of  Greeks  and  Romans,  III.  1 :  Trade  of  Germany  and  places 
cited  there.  "  The  serrati  and  bigati  were  old  coins  from  the  time 
of  tho  Republic,  purer  silver  than  those  of  the  Emperors."  Ky.  Cf. 
Pliny,  H.  N.  33,  13. 

Sequuntur.  Sequi  =  expetere.  So  used  by  Cic.,  Sal.,  and  the 
best  writers.  Compare  our  word  seek. 

Nulla  affectione  animi.  Not  from  any  partiality  for  the  silver  in 
itself  (but  for  convenience). 

Numerus.  Greater  number  and  consequently  less  relative  value 
of  the  silver  coins.  On  quia,  cf.  note,  H.  1,  31. 

VI.  Ne—quidem.  Not  even,  i.  c.  iron  is  scarce  as  well  as  gold 
and  silver.  The  weapons  found  in  ancient  German  graves  are  of 
stone,  and  bear  a  striking  resemblance  to  those  of  the  American 
Indians.  Cf.  Ukert,  p.  216.  Ad  verba,  cf.  note,  His.  1,  16:  ne- 
fueris.  The  emphatic  word  always  stands  between  ne  and  quidcm. 
H.  602,  III.  2-,  A.  and  G.  345,  b;  Z.  801.— Superest.  Is  over  and 
above,  i.  e.  abounds.  So  superest  ager,  §  26. 

Vel.     Pro  sive,  Ciceroni  inauditum.     Gun.     Cf.  note,  IT. 

Frameas.  The  word  is  still  found  in  Spain,  as  well  as  Germany. 
Lancea  is  also  a  Spanish  word,  cf.  Freund. 

Nudi.  Cf.  §  17,  20,  and  24.  Also  Caes.  B.  G.  6,  21 :  magna 
corporis  parte  nuda. 

Sagulo.  Dim.  of  sago.  A  small  short  cloak. — Leves  —  leviter 
induti.  The  clause  nudi-levcs  is  added  here  to  show  that  their  dress 
is  favorable  to  the  use  of  missiles.  Waitz  says :  "  In  summer  they 
went  lightly  clad  with  a  cloak  and  short  waistcoat ;  the  rich  were 
provided  with  a  cotton  or  woollen  undergarment.  In  the  winter,  how- 
ever, they  wrapped  themselves  in  sheepskin  or  skins  of  other  ani- 


104  NOTES. 

mals ;  they  wore  also  stockings  and  leather  shoes.  The  dress  of  the 
women  did  not  differ  greatly  from  that  of  the  men,  but  they  used  more 
generally  of  linen  material,  which  they  knew  how  to  adorn  with  scar- 
let stripes."  Waitz,  Deutsche  Verfassungsgeschichte,  p.  36. 

Missilia  spargunt.    Dictio  est  Virgiliana.     K. 

Coloribus.  Cf.  nigra  scuta,  §  43.  "Hence  coats  of  arms  and 
the  origin  of  heraldry."  Mur. 

Cultus.  Military  equipments.  Cultus  complectitur  omnia  quae 
studio  et  arte  eis,  quae  natura  instituit,  adduntur.  K. 

Cassis  aut  galea.  Cassis,  properly  of  metal ;  galca,  of  leather 
(Gr.  7oA67j) ;  though  the  distinction  is  not  always  observed. 

Equi-conspicui.     Cf.  Caes.  B.  G.  4,  2.  7,  65. 

Sed  nee  variare.  But  (i.  e.  on  the  other  hand)  they  are  not  even 
(for  nee  in  this  sense  see  Hitter  in  loc.)  tanght  to  vary  their  curves 
(i.  e.,  as  the  antithesis  shows,  to  bend  now  towards  the  right  and 
now  towards  the  left  hi  their  gyrations),  but  they  drive  them  straight 
forward  or  by  a  constant  bend  towards  the  right  in  so  connected  a 
circle  (i.  e.  a  complete  ring)  that  no  one  is  behind  (for  the  obvious 
reason,  that  there  is  neither  beginning  nor  end  to  such  a  ring). 
Such  is  on  the  whole  the  most  satisfactory  explanation  of  this  diffi- 
cult passage,  which  we  can  give  after  a  careful  examination.  A 
different  version  was  given  in  the  first  edition.  It  refers  not  to 
battle,  but  to  equestrian  exercises,  cf.  Gerlach,  as  cited  by  Or. 
in  loc. 

Aestimanti.  Greek  idiom.  Elliptical  dative,  nearly  equivalent 
to  the  abl.  abs.  (nobis  aestimantibus),  and  called  by  some  the  dat. 
abs.  In  A.  11.  the  ellipsis  is  supplied  by  crcdibUe  est.  Cf.  Biitti- 
cher's  Lex.  Tac.  sub  Dativux. 

Eoque  mixti.  Eo,  causal  particle  =  for  that  reason.  Caesar 
adopted  this  arrangement  in  the  battle  of  Pharsalia,  B.  C.  3,  84. 
The  Greeks  also  had  ire£i>j  Sjuunroi.  Xen.  Hellen.  7,  5. 

Centeni.  A  hundred  is  a  favorite  number  with  the  Germans 
and  their  descendants.  Witness  the  hundred  pagi  of  the  Suevi 
(Caes.  B.  G.  4,  1),  and  of  the  Semnones  (G.  39),  the  cantons  of 
Switzerland,  and  the  hundreds  of  our  Saxon  ancestors  in  England. 
The  centeni  here  are  a  military  division.  In  like  manner,  Caesar 
(B.  G.  4,  1)  speaks  of  a  thousand  men  drafted  annually  from  each 
pagus  of  the  Suevi,  for  military  service  abroad.  So  in  chap.  12  is  a 
reference  to  the  courts  of  these  divisions. 


GEKMANIA.  105 

Idque  ipsum.  Predicate  nominative  after  a  verb  of  calling,  H. 
362,  2.  2) ;  Z.  394.  The  division  was  called  a  hundred,  and  each 
man  in  it  a  hundreder  ;  and  such  was  the  estimation  ha  which  this 
service  was  held  that  to  be  a  hundreder  became  an  honorable 
distinction,  nomen  et  honor  =  honorificum  nomen.  See  Introduction. 

Cuncos.  A  body  of  men  arranged  in  the  form  of  a  wedge,  i.  e.  nar- 
row in  front  and  widening  towards  the  rear ;  hence  peculiarly  adapted 
to  break  the  lines  of  the  enemy.  Each  company  was  in  this  form,  and 
in  this  form  they  were  organized  together  for  an  army.  The  form  was 
said  to  imitate  that  of  a  wild  boar,  or  the  boar's  head.  Cf.  Waitz,  p.  381. 

Consilii  quam  formidinis.  Supply  magis.  The  conciseness 
of  T.  leads  him  often  to  omit  one  of  two  correlative  particles,  cf. 
note  on  minime,  4. 

Referunt.     Carry  into  the  rear,  and  so  secure  them  for  burial. 

JEtiam  in  dubiis  proeliis.  Even  while  the  battle  remains  unde- 
cided. Gun. 

Scutum  reliquisse.  Arms  were  the  sign  of  citizenship ;  hence  to 
leave  them  behind  was  punished  with  the  loss  of  civil  rights. 

Finierunt.  In  a  present  or  aorist  sense,  as  often  in  T.  So  pro- 
hibuerunt,  §  10;  placu.it  and  displicuit,  11,  cf.  Lex.  Tac.  Bot. 

VII.  lieges,  civil  rulers ;  duces,  military  commanders.  Ex  =  secun- 
dum.  So  ex  ingenio,  §  3.  The  government  was  elective,  yet  not  with- 
out some  regard  to  hereditary  distinctions.  They  chose  (sumunt)  their 
sovereign,  but  chose  him  from  the  royal  family,  or  at  least  one  of 
noble  extraction.  They  chose  also  their  commander — the  king,  if  he 
was  the  bravest  and  ablest  warrior  ;  if  not,  they  were  at  liberty  to 
choose  some  one  else.  And  among  the  Germans,  as  among  their  de- 
scendants, the  Franks,  the  authority  of  the  commander  was  quite 
distinct  from,  and  sometimes  (in  war)  paramount  to,  that  of  the  king. 
Here  Montesquieu  and  others  find  the  original  of  the  kings  of  the 
first  race  in  the  French  monarchy,  and  the  mayors  of  the  palace,  who 
once  had  so  much  power  in  France.  Cf.  Sp.  of  Laws,  B.  31,  chap.  4. 

Nee  is  correlative  to  et.  The  kings  on  the  one  hand  do  not  possess 
unlimited  or  unrestrained  authority,  and  the  commanders  on  the  other, 
etc.  Infinita  =  sine  modo ;  libera  r=  sine  vinculo.  Wr.  Potcstas  =  right- 
ful power,  authority ;  potentia  =  power  without  regard  to  right,  ability, 
force,  cf.  note,  42.  Ad  rem,  cf.  Caes.  B.  G.  5,  27.  Ambiorix  tells  Cae- 
sar that,  though  he  governed,  yet  the  people  made  laws  for  him,  and 
the  supreme  power  was  shared  equally  between  him  and  them. 


106  NOTES. 

Exemplo-impcrio.  "  Dative  after  sunt  =  arc  to  set  an  example, 
rather  than  to  give  command."  So  Griiber  and  Dod.  But  Wr.  and 
Rit.  with  more  reason  consider  them  as  ablatives  of  means  limiting 
a  verb  implied  induces:  commanders  (command)  more  by  example, 
than  by  authority  (official  power).  See  the  principle  well  stated  and 
illustrated  in  Doderlein's  Essay  on  the  style  of  Tacitus,  p.  15,  in  my 
edition  of  the  Histories. 

Admiratione  praesunt.  Gain  influence,  or  ascendency,  by  means 
of  the  admiration  which  they  inspire,  cf.  note  on  metus,  §  2. 

Agant.  Subj.  ut  ad  judicium  admirantium,  non  mentem  scrip- 
toris  trahatur.  Gun. 

Animadvertcre  =  interficere.  Cf.  H.  1,  46.  68.  None  but  (he 
priests  are  allowed  to  put  to  death,  to  place  in  irons,  nor  even  (ne  quidem) 
to  scourge.  Thus  punishment  was  clothed  with  divine  authority. 

Effigies  et  signa.  Images  and  standards,  i.  e.  images,  which 
serve  for  standards.  Images  of  wild  beasts  are  meant,  cf.  H.  4,  22 : 
depromptae  silvis  lucisve  ferarum  imagines. — Turmam,  cavalry. 
Cuneum,  infantry,  but  sometimes  both.  Conglobatio  is  found  only 
in  writers  after  the  Augustan  age,  and  rarely  in  them.  It  occurs  in 
Sen.  Qu.  Nat.  1,  16,  cf.  Freund. 

FamUiae  is  less  comprehensive  than  propinquitatcs.  Audiri,  sc. 
solent.  Cf.  A.  34 :  rucre.  Wr.  calls  it  histor.  anf.,  and  Rit.  pronounces 
it  a  gloss. 

Pignora.  Whatever  is  most  dear,  particularly  mothers,  wives, 
and  children. —  Unde,  adv.  of  place,  referring  to  in  proximo. 

Vulnera  ferunt,  i.  e.  on  their  return  from  battle. 

Exigere.  Examine  and  compare,  to  see  who  has  the  most  and 
the  most  honorable,  or  perhaps  to  soothe  and  dress  them. —  Cibr*  ct 
hortamina.  Observe  the  singular  juxtaposition  of  things  so  unlike. 
So  1 :  metu  out  montibus ;  A.  25 :  copiis  et  lactilia ;  37 :  nox  ct 
satietas  ;  38  :  gaudio  praedaque. 

VIII.   Constantia  precum  =  importunate  entreaties. 

Objectu  pectorum.  Sy  opposing  their  breasts,  not  to  the  enemy 
but  to  their  retreating  husbands,  praying  for  death  in  preference  to 
captivity. 

Monstrata-captivitate.  Cominus  limits  captivitate,  pointing  to 
captivity  as  just  before  them. — Impatientius.  Impatienter  and 
impatientia  (the  adv.  and  the  subst.)  are  post-Augustan  vrords.  The 
adj.  (impatiens)  is  found  earlier.  Cf.  Freund. 


GERMANIA.  107 

Feminarum-^nomine,  i.  e.  propter  feminas  suas.  Gun.  So  Cic. :  tuo 
nomine  ct  reipublicae  =  on  your  account  and  for  the  sake  of  the  re- 
public. But  it  means  perhaps  more  than  that  here,  viz.  in  the  per- 
son of.  They  dreaded  captivity  more  for  their  women  than  for 
themselves.  A deo  =  insomuch  that. 

Inesse,  sc.  feminis.  They  think  there  is  in  their  women  some- 
thing sacred  and  prophetic.  Of.  Caes.  B.  G.  1,  50,  where  Caesar  is 
informed  by  the  prisoners  that  Ariovistus  had  declined  an  engage- 
ment, because  the  women  had  declared  against  coming  to  action 
before  the  new  moon. — Consilia,  advice  in  general;  responsa,  in- 
spired answers,  when  consulted. 

Vidimus,  i.  e.  she  lived  in  our  day — under  the  reign  of  Vespa- 
sian.— Vcledam.  Cf.  H.  4,  61.  65,  and  5,  24. 

Albruna,  perhaps  =  Al-runas,  women  knowing  all  things.  So 
Veleda  —  wise  woman.  Cf.  Wr.  in  loc. 

Non  adulatione,  etc.  "  Not  through  adulation,  nor  as  if  they 
were  raising  mortals  to  the  rank  of  goddesses."  Ky.  This  is  one 
of  those  oblique  censures  on  Roman  customs  in  which  the  treatise 
abounds.  The  Romans  in  the  excess  of  their  adulation  to  the  im- 
perial family  made  ordinary  women  goddesses,  as  Drusilla,  sister  of 
Caligula,  the  infant  daughter  of  Poppaea  (Ann.  15,  23),  and  Poppaea 
herself  (Dio  63,  29).  The  Germans,  on  the  other  hand,  really 
thought  some  of  their  wise  women  to  be  divine.  Cf.  His.  4,  62,  and 
my  note  ibid.  Reverence  and  affection  for  woman  was  character- 
istic of  the  German  Tribes,  and  from  them  has  diffused  itself 
throughout  European  society. 

IX.  Deorum.  T.  here,  as  elsewhere,  applies  Roman  names,  and 
puts  a  Roman  construction  (Romana  interpretatione,  §  43)  upon  the 
gods  of  other  nations,  of.  §  3. 

Mercurium.  So  Caes.  B.  G.  6,  17:  Deum  maxime  Mercurium 
colunt.  Probably  the  German  Woden,  whose  name  is  preserved  in 
our  Wednesday,  as  that  of  Mercury  is  in  the  French  name  of  the 
same  day,  and  who,  with  a  name  slightly  modified  (Woden,  Wuotan, 
Odin),  was  a-  prominent  object  of  worship  among  all  the  nations  of 
Northern  Europe.  Mars  is  perhaps  the  German  god  of  war  (Tiw,  Tin, 
Tuisto),  whence  Tuesday,  French  Mardi,  cf.  Tur.  His.  Ang.  Sax.,  App. 
to  B.  2.  chap.  3.  Hcrculem  is  omitted  by  Ritter  on  evidence  (partly 
external  and  partly  internal)  which  is  entitled  to  not  a  little  con- 
sideration. Hercules  is  the  god  of  strength,  perhaps  Thorr. 


108  NOTES. 

Certis  diebus.     Statis  diebus.     Giin. 

Humanis-fiostiis.  Even/ac<?re  in  the  sense  of  sacrifice  is  construed 
with  abl,  Virg.  EC.  3,  77.  The  victims  selected  were  commonly  pris- 
oners, criminals,  or  slaves.  Quogue  =  even.  For  its  position  in  the 
sentence,  cf.  note,  3. 

Concessis  animalibus.  Such  as  the  Romans  and  other  civilized 
nations  offer,  in  contradistinction  to  human  sacrifices,  which  the 
author  regards  as  iw-concessa.  The  attempt  has  been  made  to  re- 
move from  the  Germans  the  stain  of  human  sacrifices.  But  it  rests 
on  incontrovertible  evidence  (cf.  Tur.  His.  Ang.  Sax.,  App.  to  B.  2. 
chap.  3),  and  indeed  attaches  to  them  only  in  common  with  nearly  all 
uncivilized  nations.  The  Gauls  and  Britons,  and  the  Celtic  nations 
generally,  carried  the  practice  to  great  lengths,  cf.  Caes.  B.  G.  6,  15. 
The  neighbors  of  the  Hebrews  offered  human  victims  in  great  num- 
bers to  their  gods,  as  we  learn  from  the  Scriptures.  Nay,  the  re- 
proach rests  also  upon  the  Greeks  and  Romans  in  their  early  history. 
Pliny  informs  us  that  men  were  sacrificed  as  late  as  the  year  of  Rome 
657. 

Isidi.  The  Egyptian  Isis  in  Germany !  This  shows  how  far  the 
Romans  went  in  comparing  the  gods  of  different  nations.  Gr.  Rit- 
ter  identifies  this  goddess  with  the  Nerthus  of  chap.  40,  the  Egyptian 
Isis  and  Nerthus  being  both  equivalent  to  Mother  Earth,  the  Terra 
or  Tellus  of  the  Romans. 

Liburnae.  A  light  galley,  so  called  from  the  Liburnians,  a  peo- 
ple of  Illyricum,  who  built  and  navigated  them.  The  siynum,  here 
likened  to  a  galley,  was  more  probably  a  rude  crescent,  connected 
with  the  worship  of  the  moon,  cf.  Caes.  B.  G.  6,  21 :  German!  deorum 
numero  ducunt  Solera  et  Limam. 

Cohibere parietibus  =  aedificiis  includere,  K.  T.  elsewhere  speaks 
of  temples  of  German  divinities  (e.  g.  40:  templo  Nerthi;  Ann. 
1,  51:  templum  Tanfanae) ;  but  a  consecrated  grove  or  any  other 
sacred  place  was  called  templum  by  the  Romans  (templum  from 
Tf/jLvw,  cut  off,  set  apart). 

Ex  magnitudine.  Ex  =  secundum,  cf.  ex  nobilitale,  ex  virtute,  §  7. 
Ex  maynitudine  is  predicate  after  arbitrantur :  they  deem  it  unbecom- 
ing the  greatness,  etQ. 

Humanir-speciem.  Images  of  the  gods  existed  at  a  later  day  in 
Germany  (S.  Tur.  His.  of  Ang.  Sax.,  App.  to  B.  2.  chap.  3).  But  this 
does  not  prove  their  existence  in  the  days  of  T.  Even  as  late  as  A. 


GERMANIA.  109 

D.  240,  Gregory  Thaumaturgus  expressly  declares  there  were  no  im- 
ages among  the  Goths.  No  traces  of  temple-walls  or  images  have 
been  discovered  in  connection  with  the  numerous  sites  of  ancient 
altars  or  places  of  offering  which  have  been  exhumed  in  Germany, 
though  both  these  are  found  on  the  borders,  both  south  and  west, 
cf.  Ukert,  p.  236. 

Lucos  et  ncmora.  "  Lucus  (a  \VKIJ,  crepusculum)  sylva  densior, 
obumbrans ;  nemus  (pe/ias)  sylva  rarior,  in  quo  jurnenta  et  pecora 
pascuntur."  Bredow. 

Dcorumque-vident.  They  invoke  under  the  name  of  gods  that  mys- 
terious existence,  which  they  see  (not  under  any  human  or  other  visible 
form,  but)  with  the  eye  of  spiritual  reverence  alone.  So  Gr.  and  K. 
Others  get  another  idea  thus  loosely  expressed :  They  give  to  that 
sacred  recess  the  name  of  the  divinity  that  fills  the  place,  which  ia 
never  profaned  by  the  steps  of  man. 

Sola  revcrcntia,  cf.  sola  mente  applied  by  T.  to  the  spiritual  re- 
ligion of  the  Jews,  H.  5,  5.  The  religion  of  the  Germans  and  other 
northern  tribes  was  more  spiritual  than  that  of  southern  nations, 
when  both  were  Pagan.  And  after  the  introduction  of  Christianity, 
the  Germans  were  disinclined  to  the  image-worship  of  the  Papists. 

X.  Auspicia  sortesque.  Auspicia  (avis-spicia)  properly  divination 
by  observing  the  flight  and  cry  of  birds  ;  sortes,  by  drawing  lots :  but 
both  often  used  in  the  general  sense  of  omens,  oracles. 

Ut  qui  maxime,  sc.  observant.  Ellipsis  supplied  by  repeating  ob- 
servant  =  to  the  greatest  extent,  none  more. 

Notis  =  probably  runes. 

Simplex.  Sine  Romana  arte,  cf.  Cic.  de  Div.  2,  41.  The  Scy- 
thians had  a  similar  method  of  divining,  Herod.  4,  67.  Indeed,  the 
practice  of  divining  by  rods  has  hardly  ceased  to  this  day  among  the 
descendants  of  the  German  tribes. 

Temcre,  without  plan  on  the  part  of  the  diviner. — Fortuito,  under 
the  direction  of  chance.  Gr. 

Si  public  consuletur.  If  the  question  to  be  decided  is  of  a  public 
nature.  Consuletur,  fut.,  because  at  the  time  of  drawing  lots  the  de- 
liberation and  decision  are  future.  Or  it  may  refer  to  the  consulta- 
tion of  the  gods  (cf.  Ann.  14,  30:  consulcre  deos):  if  it  is  by  the  state 
that  the  gods  are  to  be  consulted.  So  Ritter  in  his  last  edition. 

Paterfamilias.  An  interesting  proof  of  the  freedom  of  the  an- 
cient Germans  from  the  power  of  priestcraft. 


HO  NOTES. 

Ter  singulos  lollit.  A  threefold  drawing  for  the  sake  of  cer- 
tainty. Thus  Ariovistus  drew  lots  three  times  touching  the  death 
of  Valerius  (Caes.  B.  G.  1,  63).  So  also  the  Romans  drew  lots  three 
times,  Tibul.  1,  3,  10 :  sortes  ter  sustulit.  Such  is  the  interpreta- 
tion of  these  disputed  words  by  Griiber,  Hitter,  and  many  others, 
and  such  is  certainly  their  natural  and  obvious  meaning :  he  takes 
up  three  times  one  after  another  all  the  slips  he  has  scattered  (spar- 
gerc  is  hardly  applicable  to  three  only):  if  the  signs  are  twice  or 
thrice  favorable,  the  thing  is  permitted  ;  if  twice  or  thrice  unfavor- 
able, it  is  prohibited.  The  language  of  Caesar  (in  loc.  cit.)  is  still 
more  explicit:  ter  sortibus  consultum.  But  Or.,  Wr.,  and  DiJd. 
understand  simply  the  taking  up  of  three  lots  one  each  time. 

Si  prohibuerunt,  sc.  sortes  =  dii.  "  The  reading  prohibucrunt  (al. 
prohibuerint)  is  favored  by  the  analogy  of  si  displicuit,  11,  and 
other  passages.  Sin  (=  si-ne)  is  particularly  frequent  in  antithesis 
with  si,  and  takes  the  same  construction  after  it. 

Auspiciorum-exiffitur.  Auspiciorum,  here  some  other  omens 
than  lots ;  such  as  the  author  proceeds  to  specify.  Adhuc  =  ad  hoc, 
praeterea,  i.  e.  in  addition  to  the  lots.  The  sense  is  :  besides  draw- 
ing lols,  the  persuasion  produced  by  auspices  is  required. 

Etiam  hie.  In  Germany  also  (as  well  as  at  Rome  and  other 
well-known  countries).  Hie  is  referred  to  Rome  by  some.  But 
it  was  hardly  needful  for  T.  to  inform  the  Romans  of  that  custom 
at  Rome. 

Proprium  gcntis.  It  is  a  peculiarity  of  the  German  race.  It 
is  not,  however,  exclusively  German.  Something  similar  pre- 
vailed among  the  Persians,  Herod.  1,  189.  7,  55.  Darius  Hystaspes 
was  indebted  to  the  neighing  of  his  horse  for  his  elevation  to  the 
throne. 

lisdem  tnemoribus,  §  9. — Mortali  opere  =  hominum  opcre. — 
Contacti.  Notio  contaminandi  inest,  K. — Pressi  curru.  Ilarnessed 
to  the  sacred  chariot.  More  common,  pressi  juga  Poetice. 

Conscios,  sc.  deorum.  The  priests  consider  themselves  the  ser- 
vants of  the  ffods,  tJie  horses  the  confidants  of  the  same.  So  Tibullus 
speaks  of  the  conscia  fibra  deorum.  Tibul.  1,  8,  3. 

Commitlunt.  Con  and  mitto,  send  together  =  engage  in  fight. 
A  technical  expression  used  of  gladiators  and  champions. 

Praejndicio.  Sure  prognostic.  Montesquieu  finds  iu  this  cus- 
tom the  origin  of  the  duel  and  of  knight-errantry. 


GERMANIA.  HI 

XI.  Apud-pcrtractentur.  Are  handled,  i.  c.  discussed,  among, 
i.  c.  by  the  chiefs,  sc.  before  being  referred  to  the  people. 

Nisi  refers  not  to  coeunf,  but  to  certis  dicbus. 

Fortuitum,  casual,  unforeseen ;  subitum,  requiring  immediate 
action. 

Inchoatur-impletur.  Ariovistus  would  not  fight  before  the  new 
moon,  Caes.  B.  G.  1,  50. 

Numerum-noctium.  Of  which  custom,  we  have  a  relic  and  a 
proof  in  our  seven-night  and  fort-night.  So  also  the  Gauls.  Caes. 
B.  G.  6,  18. 

Constituunt  =  decree,  determine ;  condicunt  =  proclaim,  appoint. 
The  con  in  both  implies  concerted  or  public  action.  They  are  foren- 
sic terms. 

Nox-videtur.  So  with  the  Athenians,  Macrob.  Saturn.  1,  3.; 
and  the  Hebrews,  Gen.  1,  6.  So,  according  to  mythology,  Hemera 
was  daughter  of  Erebus  and  Night. 

Ex  libertate,  sc.  ortum,  arising  from.     Gun. 

Ncc  ut  jussi.  Not  precisely  at  the  appointed  time,  but  a  day  or 
two  later,  if  they  choose. 

Ut  lurbae  placuit.  Ut  =  simul  ac,  as  soon  as,  when.  It  is  the 
time  of  commencing  their  session,  that  depends  on  the  will  of  the 
multitude ;  not  their  sitting  armed,  for  that  they  always  did,  cf. 
frameas  concutiunt  at  the  close  of  the  section  ;  also  §  13 :  nihil 
neque  publicae  neque  privatae  rei  nisi  armati  agunt.  To  express 
this  latter  idea,  the  order  of  the  words  would  have  been  reversed 
thus :  armati  considunt,  cf.  turn  .  .  .  procedunt  armati,  22. 

Turn  et  coercendi.  When  the  session  is  commenced,  then  (turn) 
the  priests  have  the  right  not  merely  to  command  silence,  but  also 
(et)  to  enforce  it.  This  use  of  et  for  etiam  is  very  rare  in  Cic.,  but 
frequent  in  Livy,  T.,  and  later  writers.  See  note,  His.  1,  23. 

Imperatur.  Imperare  plus  est,  quam  jubere.  See  the  climax  ia 
Ter.  Eun.  2,  3,  98;  jubeo,  cogo  atque  impero.  Impero  is  properly 
military  command.  K. 

Prout  refers,  not  to  the  order  of  speaking,  but  to  the  degree  of 
influence  they  have  over  the  people.  Gr. — Adas.  Our  word 
alderman  (elderman)  is  a  proof  that  office  and  honor  were  conferred 
on  age  by  our  German  ancestors.  So  senator  (senex)  among  the 
Romans. 

Armis  laudarc,  i.  e.  armis  concussis.     "  Montesquieu  is  of  opinion 


NOTES. 

that  in  this  Treatise  on  the  manners  of  the  Germans,  an  attentive 
reader  may  trace  the  origin  of  the  British  constitution.  That  beau- 
tiful system,  he  says,  was  formed  in  the  forests  of  Germany,  Sp.  of 
Laws  11,  6.  The  Saxon  Witena-gemot  (Parliament)  was,  beyond  all 
doubt,  an  improved  political  institution,  grafted  on  the  rights  exer- 
cised by  the  people  in  their  own  country."  Murphy.  Cf.  S.  Tur.  His. 
of  Ang.  Sax.  B.  8.  chap.  4. 

XII.  Accusare-intcndcre.  To  accuse  and  impeach  for  capital 
crimes.  Minor  offences  were  tried  before  the  courts  described  at 
the  end  of  the  section. —  Quoque.  In  addition  to  the  legislative 
power  spoken  of  in  the  previous  section,  the  council  exercised  also 
certain  judicial  functions.  Discrimen  capitis  intendere,  lit.  to 
endeavor  to  bring  one  in  danger  of  losing  his  life. 

Ignavos-infamcs.  The  sluggish,  the  cowardly,  and  the  impure  ; 
for  so  corpore  infamcs  usually  means,  and  there  is  no  sufficient  rea- 
son for  adopting  another  sense  here.  Infames  foeda  Veneris  aversae 
nota.  K.  Gr.  understands  those,  whose  persons  were  disfigured  by 
dishonorable  wounds,  or  who  had  mutilated  themselves  to  avoid 
military  duty.  Gun.  includes  both  ideas :  quocunque,  non  tantum 
venereo,  corporis  abusu  contempti. 

Insuper  =  superne.     So  16 :  multo  insuper  fimo  onerant. 

Diversitas  is  a  post-Augustan  word,  cf.  Freund,  sub  v. 

llluc  respicil.  Has  respect  to  this  principle.  /Scelera  —  crimes  ; 
jlagitia  =  vices,  low  and  base  actions.  Scelus  poena,  fagitium  con- 
temptu  dignum.  Gun. 

Levioribus  delictis.  Abl.  abs.  =  when  lighter  offences  are  com- 
mitted;  or  abl.  of  circum.  =  in  case  of  lighter  offences. 

Pro  modo  poenarum.  Such  is  the  reading  of  all  the  MSS.  Pro 
modo,  poena  is  an  ingenious  conjecture  of  Acidalius.  But  it  is  un- 
necessary. Render  thus :  in  case  of  lighter  offences,  the  convicted 
persons  are  mulcted  in  a  number  of  horses  or  cattle,  in  proportion 
to  the  severity  of  the  sentence  adjudged  to  be  due. 

Qui  vindicatur.  The  injured  party,  or  plaintiff.  This  principle 
of  pecuniary  satisfaction  was  carried  to  great  lengths  among  the 
Anglo-Saxons.  See  Turner,  as  cited,  21 ;  also  Introduction. 

Qui  reddunt.  Whose  business  or  custom  it  is  to  administer  justice, 
etc.  E.  proposes  reddant.  But  it  is  without  authority  and  would 
give  a  less  appropriate  sense. 

Centeni.     Cf.  note,  §  6 :    ccnteni  ex  singulis  pagis.     "  Sunt  in 


GERMANIA.  113 

quibusdam  locis  Gcrmaniao,  velut  Palatinatu,  Franconia,  etc.,  Zent- 
gericht  (hundred  courts),"  cf.  Bernegger. 

Consilia  et  auctoritas.  Abstract  for  concrete  =  his  advisers  and 
the  supporters  of  Ms  dignity. 

XIII.  Nihil  nisi  armati.  The  Romans  wore  arms  only  in  time 
of  war  or  on  a  journey. 

Moris,  sc.  est.  A  favorite  expression  of  T.  So  21 :  concedere 
moris  (est).  And  in  A.  39. 

Suffedurum  probaverit.  On  examination  has  pronounced  him 
competent  (sc.  to  bear  arms).  Subj.  after  antequam.  H.  523,  II. ;  A. 
and  G.  327 ;  Z.  576. 

Ornant.  Ornat  would  have  been  more  common  Latin,  and  would 
have  made  better  English.  But  this  construction  is  not  unfrequent 
in  T.,  cf.  11 :  rex  vel  princeps  audiuntur.  Nor  is  it  without  prece- 
dent in  other  authors.  Cf.  Z.  374.  Hitter  reads  propinqui.  The 
attentive  reader  will  discover  here  traces  of  many  subsequent  usages 
of  chivalry. 

Haec  toga.  This  is  the  badge  of  manhood  among  the  Germans, 
as  the  toga  virilis  was  among  the  Romans.  The  Romans  ordinarily 
assumed  the  toga  at  the  age  of  fourteen,  though  this  was  not  univer- 
sally the  case :  cf.  Smith's  Die.  Ant.,  Art.  Impubes.  The  Germans 
(in  their  colder  climate)  not  till  the  twentieth  year.  Caes.  B.  G.  6, 
21. 

Dignationem.  Rank,  title.  It  differs  from  dignitas  in  being  more 
external.  Cf.  H.  1,  19:  dignatio  Cacsaris  ;  3,  80:  dignatio  viri.  Rit- 
ter  reads  dignitatem. 

Assignant.  High  birth  or  great  merits  of  their  fathers  assign  (i. 
e.  mark  out,  not  consign,  or  fully  confer)  the  title  of  chief  even  to 
young  men. 

Gradus-habct.  Observe  the  emphatic  position  of  gradus,  and  the 
force  of  quin  etiam  ipse :  gradations  of  rank,  moreover  the  retinue 
itself  has,  i.  e.  the  retainers  are  not  only  distinguished  as  a  body  in 
following  such  a  leader,  but  there  are  also  distinctions  among  them- 
selves.  Quin  etiam  seldom  occupies  the  second  place.  T.  is  fond  of 
anastrophe.  Cf.  Bot.  Lex.  Tac. 

Si-emineat.  If  he  (cuique)  stands  preeminent  for  the  number  and 
valor  of  his  followers.  Comitatus  is  gen.  Emineat,  subj.  pres.  H. 
509  and  511,  II. ;  A.  and  G.  307,  b;  Z.  524. 

Ceteris-aspici.     These  noble  youths,  thus  designated  to  the  rank 


114  NOTES. 

of  chieftains,  attach  themselves  (for  a  time,  with  some  followers,  per- 
haps) to  the  other  chiefs,  who  are  older  and  already  distinguished,  nor 
are  they  ashamed  to  be  seen  among  their  attendants. 

Quibus-cui,  sc.  sit  =  who  shatt  have,  etc. 

Ipsafama.    Mere  reputation  or  rumor  without  coming  to  arms. 

Profligant  =  ad  finem  perducunt,  virtually  bring  to  an  end.  So 
Kiessling,  Botticher,  and  Freund.  Hitter  makes  it  =  propellunt, 
frighten  away.  Profligare  bella,  proelia,  etc.,  is  Tacitean.  Profligare 
hostes,  etc.,  is  the  common  expression. 

XIV.  Jam  vero  =  porro.  Cf.  Bot.  Lex.  Tac.  It  marks  a  transi- 
tion to  a  topic  of  special  importance.  Cf.  H.  1,  2.  See  Dod.  in  loc. 

Recessisse.  All  the  best  Latin  writers  are  accustomed  to  use 
the  preterite  after  pudet,  taedet,  and  other  words  of  the  like  signifi- 
cation. Gun.  The  cause  of  shame  is  prior  to  the  shame. 

Infame.  "  When  Chonodomarus,  king  of  the  Alemanni,  was 
taken  prisoner  by  the  Romans,  his  military  companions,  to  the 
number  of  two  hundred,  and  three  of  the  king's  most  intimate 
friends,  thinking  it  a  most  flagitious  crime  to  live  in  safety  after 
such  an  event,  surrendered  themselves  to  be  loaded  with  fetters. 
Ammian.  Marcell.  16,  12,  60.  There  are  instances  of  the  same  kind 
in  Tacitus."  Mur.  Cf.  also  Caes.  B.  G.  3,  22.  7,  40. 

Defendere,  to  defend  him,  when  attacked ;  tueri,  to  protect  him 
at  all  times. 

Praecipuum  sacramentum.  TJieir  most  sacred  duty,  Gun.  and 
K. ;  or  the  chief  part  of  their  oath,  Gr. —  Clarescunt-tuentur.  So 
Hitter  after  the  best  MSS.  Al.  clarescant—tueantur,  or  tueare. 

Non  nisi.  In  Cic.  usually  separated  by  a  word  or  a  clause.  In 
T.  generally  brought  together. 

Exigunt.  They  expect. — lllum-illam.  Angl.  this-that,  cf.  hinc- 
hinc,  A.  25. — Bellatorem  equum.  Cf.  Virg.  G.  2,  145. 

Incompti-apparatus.  Entertainments,  though  inelegant  yet  liberal. 
Apparatus  is  used  in  the  same  way,  Suet.  Vitel.  10  and  13. — Cedunt 
=  iis  dantur.  Gun. 

Nee  arare,  etc.  The  whole  language  of  this  sentence  is  poeti- 
cal, e.  g.  the  use  of  the  inf.  after  pcrsuaseris,  of  annum  for  annuam 
mensem,  the  sense  of  vocare  and  mereri,  etc.  Vocare,  i.  e.  provo- 
care,  cf.  II.  4,  80,  and  Virg.  Geor.  4,  76.  Mereri,  earn,  deserve,  i.  e. 
by  bravery. 

Pigrum  et  iners.      Piger  est  natura  ad  laborem  tardus ;   iners, 


GERMANIA.  115 

in  quo  nihil  artis  et  virtutis.  K.  Render :  a  mark  of  stupidity 
and  incapacity. 

Quin  immo.  Nay  but,  nay  more.  These  words  connect  the 
clause,  though  not  placed  at  the  beginning,  as  they  are  by  other 
writers.  They  seem  to  be  placed  after  pigrum  in  order  to  throw  it 
into  an  emphatic  position.  So  gradus  quin  etiam,  13,  where  see 
note. — Possis.  You,  i.  e.  any  one,  can.  Z.  524.  Cf.  note  H.  1, 
10 :  laudares.  So  persuaseris  in  the  preceding  sentence.  The  subj. 
gives  a  contingent  or  potential  turn  =  can  procure,  sc.  if  you  will, 
would  persuade,  sc.  if  you  should  try.  An  indefinite  person  is  al- 
ways addressed  in  the  subj.  in  Latin,  even  when  the  ind.  would  be 
used  if  a  definite  person  were  spoken  of.  Z.  524. 

In  the  chieftains  and  their  retainers,  as  described  in  the  last 
two  sections,  the  reader  cannot  fail  to  discover  the  germ  of  the 
'feudal  system.  Cf.  Montesq.  Sp.  of  Laws,  30,  3,  4;  also  Robertson's 
Chas.  V. 

XV.  Non  multum.  The  common  reading  (multura  without 
the  negative)  is  a  mere  conjecture,  and  that  suggested  by  a  misap- 
prehension of  the  meaning  of  T.  Non  multum  is  to  be  taken  com- 
paratively. Though  in  time  of  peace  they  hunt  often,  yet  they 
spend  so  much  more  time  in  eating,  drinking,  and  sleeping,  that  the 
former  is  comparatively  little.  Thus  understood,  this  passage  of 
T.  is  not  inconsistent  with  the  declarations  of  Caesar,  B.  G.  6,  21 : 
Vita  Germanorum  omnis  in  yenationibus  atque  in  studiis  rei  mili- 
taris  conaistit.  Caesar  leaves  out  of  account  their  periods  of  inac- 
tion, and  speaks  only  of  their  active  employments,  which  were  war 
and  the  chase.  It  was  the  special  object  of  Tacitus,  on  the  contrary, 
to  give  prominence  to  that  striking  feature  of  the  German  character 
which  Caesar  overlooks;  and  therein,  as  Wr.  well  observes,  the 
later  historian  shows  his  more  exact  acquaintance  with  the  Ger- 
mans. Non  multum,  as  opposed  to  plus,  is  nearly  equivalent  to 
minus. 

Venatibus,  per  otium.  Enallage  for  venatibus,  olio,  H.  704,  III. 
This  figure  is  very  frequent  in  T.,  e.  g.  §  40 :  per  obsequium 
proeliis ;  A.  9 :  virtute  aut  per  artem  ;  A.  41 :  temeritate  aut  per 
ignaviam,  &c.  Seneca,  and  indeed  most  Latin  authors,  prefer  a 
similar  construction  in  antithetic  clauses ;  T.  seems  rather  to 
avoid  it.  In  all  such  cases,  however,  as  the  examples  just  cited 
show,  per  with  the  ace.  is  not  precisely  equivalent  to  the  abl.  The 
6 


116  NOTES. 

abl.  is  more  active  and  implies  means,  agency ;  the  ace.  with  per 
is  more  passive  and  denotes  manner  or  occasion. 

Delegata,  transferred. 

Senibus.  The  patriarchal  idea  yielded  so  far  to  the  exigencies 
of  circumstances  that  the  responsibility  of  the  head  of  the  family  was 
transferred  to  the  son  when  the  father  became  infirm.  Thus,  also, 
the  aged  Laertes  is  described  in  the  Odyssey  as  occupied  with  his 
garden-plot. 

Familiae.  Household,  properly  of  servants  (from  famel,  Oscan 
for  servant),  as  in  chaps.  25  and  32:  but  sometimes  the  whole 
family,  as  here  and  in  chap.  7:  familiae  et  propinquitates. 

Ipsi.    The  men  of  middle  life,  the  heads  of  the  familiae. 

Diversitate.  Contrariety. — Ament.  Subj.  H.  518,  I. ;  A.  and  G. 
326;  Z.  577. — Oderint.  Perf.  in  the  sense  of  the  pres.  H.  297, 
I.  2 ;  A.  and  G.  143,  N  ;  Z.  221. 

Inerliam.  Inertiam  =  idleness,  freedom  from  business  and  care 
(from  in  and  ars) ;  quietem  =  tranquillity,  a  life  of  undisturbed  re- 
pose without  action  or  excitement.  Cf.  14  :  ingrata  genti  quies.  In 
this  account  of  the  habits  of  the  Germans,  one  might  easily  fancy 
he  was  reading  a  description  of  the  manner  of  life  among  our  Amer- 
ican Indians.  It  may  be  remarked  here,  once  for  all,  that  this  re- 
semblance may  be  traced  in  very  many  particulars,  e.  g.  in  their 
personal  independence,  in  the  military  chieftains  and  their  followers, 
in  their  extreme  fondness  for  the  hardships  and  dangers  of  war,  in 
their  strange  inactivity,  gluttony  and  drunkenness  in  peace,  in  their 
deliberative  assemblies  and  the  power  of  eloquence  to  sway  their 
counsels,  in  their  half  elective,  half  hereditary  form  of  government, 
in  the  spirituality  of  their- conceptions  of  God,  and  some  other  fea- 
tures of  their  religion.  Robertson  has  drawn  out  this  comparison  in 
his  history  of  Charles  V.  All  tribes  in  a  rude  and  savage  state 
must  have  many  similar  usages  and  traits  of  character.  And  this 
resemblance  between  the  well-known  habits  of  our  wandering 
savages  and  those  which  T.  ascribes  to  the  rude  tribes  of  Ger- 
many may  impress  us  with  confidence  in  the  truthfulness  of  his  nar- 
rative. 

Vel  armentorum  vel  frugum.  Partitive  gen.  Supply  aliquid. — 
Vel-vel  =  whcther-or,  merely  distinctive ;  aut-aut  =  either-or,  ad- 
versative and  exclusive.  Vel-vel  (from  volo)  implies,  that  one  may 
clwose  between  the  alternatives  or  particulars  named ;  aut-aut  (from 


GERMANIA.  117 

aS,  oSrjy),  that  if  one  is  affirmed,  the  other  is  denied,  since  both 
cannot  be  true  at  the  same  time.  Cf.  *iote,  A.  17 :  aut-aut. — 
Pecuniam.  An  oblique  censure  of  the  Romans  for  purchasing 
peace  and  alliance  with  the  Germans,  cf.  H.  4,  76.  Herodian,  6,  7 : 
rovTcp  yap  (sc.  xPvfflv)  (AafaffTO'  TtpfJicaibi  irei&ovrat,  <j>i\dpyvpoi  re 
wires  Kal  T^V  elpfivriv  ael  irpbs  Pco/uofous  xpvfflov  /caTTTjAeiWres. 
Ou  et.  cf.  note  11. 

XVI.  Populis.  Dative  of  the  agent  instead  of  the  abl.  with 
a  or  ab.  Cf.  note  3  :  Ulixi. 

Ne-quidem.  These  words  are  always  separated,  the  word  on 
which  the  emphasis  rests  being  placed  between  them.  H.  602,  III.  2 ; 
A.  and  G.  345,  b  ;  Z.  801.  Here  however  the  emphasis  seems  to  be- 
long to  the  whole  clause — Inter  se,  sc.  sedes  junctas  inter  se. 

Colunt  =  in-colunt.  Both  often  used  intransitively,  or  rather 
'  with  an  ellipsis  of  the  object,  =  dwell. 

Discrcti  ac  divcrsi.  Separate  and  scattered  in  different  directions, 
i.  e.  without  regular  streets  or  highways.  See  Or.  in  loc. 

Ut  fons—placuit.  Hence  to  this  day,  the  names  of  German  towns 
often  end  in  bach  (brook),  fold  (field),  holz  (grove),  wald  (wood),  brun 
(spring).  On  the  permanence  of  names  of  places,  see  note  H. 
1,  53. 

Connexis,  with  some  intervening  link,  such  as  fences,  hedges,  and 
outhouses ;  cohaerentibus,  in  immediate  contact. 

The  houses  were  finished  partly  with  wood,  partly  with  basket- 
work  and  clay  :  they  were  simple  and  arranged  only  for  the  necessi- 
ties of  life.  In  cellars  under  the  earth,  they  hid  their  fruits  and  other 
stores,  and  even  themselves  sought  a  similar  refuge  in  the  cold  of 
the  winter  season.  The  stables  and  barns  were  for  the  most  part 
near  the  dwelling ;  to  some  tribes,  it  had  always  been  their  custom 
to  unite  them  all  under  one  extended  roof.  This  was  covered  with 
reeds  or  with  straw.  Waitz. 

Domum-spatio.     H.  384,  II.  1 ;  A.  and  G.  225,  D. 

JRemcdium-inscitia.  It  may  be  as  a  remedy,  etc.— or  it  may  be 
through  ignorance,  etc.  Sive—sivc  expresses  an  alternative  condi- 
tionally, or  contingently,  =  it  may  be  thus,  or  it  may  be  thus.  Com- 
pare it  with  vel-vel,  chap.  15,  and  with  aiU—aut,  A.  17.  See  also 
Ramshorn's  Synonyms,  138.  Remedium  is  ace.  in  app.  with  the 
foregoing  clause.  Inscitia  is  abl.  of  cause,—  per  inscitiam. 

Caementorum.     Properly  hewn  stone  (from  caedo),  but  in  usage 


118  NOTES. 

any  building  stone. — Tegularum.     Tiles,  any  materials  for  the  roof 
(tego),  whether  of  brick,  stone,  or  wood. 

Citra.  Properly  this  side  of,  hence  short  of,  or  without,  as 
used  by  the  later  Latin  authors.  This  word  is  kindred  to  cis,  i.  e. 
is  with  the  demonstrative  prefix  ce.  Cf.  Freund  sub  v. 

Speciem  refers  more  to  the  eye,  dclectationem  to  the  mind.  Taken 
with  citra,  they  are  equivalent  to  adjectives,  connected  to  informi 
and  limiting  materia  (citra  speciem  =  non  speciosa,  Gun.).  Bender : 
rude  materials,  neither  -beautiful  to  the  eye  nor  attractive  to  the  taste. 
Materia  is  distinctively  wood  for  building.  Fire-wood  is  lignum. 

Quaedam  loca.  Some  parts  of  their  houses,  e.  g.  the  walls.  This 
seems  to  refer  even  to  the  exterior  of  the  house,  as  also  in  modern 
times  we  notice,  in  some  parts  of  Switzerland,  their  fondness  for  orna- 
menting the  outside  walls. 

Terra  ita  pura.    Probably  red  earth,  such  as  chalk  or  gypsum. 

Imitetur.     Resembles  painting  and  colored  outlines  or  figures. 

Aperire.  Poetice  =  excavate.  Cellars  under  ground  were  un- 
known to  the  Romans.  See  Beck.  Gal.,  and  Smith's  Diet.  Ant. 

Ignorantur-fallunt.  They  are.  not  known  to  exist,  or  else  (though 
known  to  exist)  they  escape  discovery  from  the  very  fact  that  they 
must  be  sought  (in  order  to  be  found).  Gun.  calls  attention  to  the 
multiform  enallage  in  this  sentence  :  1.  in  number  (populatur,  igno- 
rantur,  fallunf) ;  2.  of  the  active,  passive,  and  deponent  verbs ;  3. 
in  the  change  of  cases  (aperta,  ace. ;  abdita  and  defossa,  nom.). 

XVII.  Sagum.  A  short,  thick  cloak,  worn  by  Roman  soldiers 
and  countrymen. 

Fibula  =  figibula,  any  artificial  fastening ;  spina  =  natural. 

Si  desit.  Observe  the  difference  between  this  clause,  and  si 
quando  advenit  in  the  preceding  chapter.  This  is  a  mere  supposi- 
tion without  regard  to  fact ;  that  implies  an  expectation,  that  the 
case  will  sometimes  happen. 

Cetera  intecti.  Uncovered  as  to  the  rest  of  the  body,  cf.  G :  nudi 
aut  sagulo  leves. 

Totos  dies.     Ace.  of  duration  of  time. — Agunt  =  vivunt.  K. 

Fluitante.  The  flowing  robe  of  the  southern  and  eastern  na- 
tions ;  stricta,  the  close  dress  and  short  clothes  of  the  northern  nations. 

Artus  exprimcnte.  Quae  tarn  arte  artus  includit,  ut  emineant, 
earumque  lineamenta  ct  forma  appareant,  K.  K.  and  Gr.  under- 
stand this  of  coat  and  vest,  as  well  as  breeches :  Gun.  of  breeches  only. 


GERMANIA.  119 

Proximi  ripae.  Near  the  banks  of  the  Rhine  and  the  Danube, 
so  as  to  have  commercial  intercourse  with  the  Romans.  These 
having  introduced  the  cloth  and  dress  of  the  Romans,  attached 
little  importance  to  the  manner  of  wearing  their  skins.  But  those 
in  the  interior,  having  no  other  apparel,  valued  themselves  on  the 
nice  adjustment  of  them. 

Cultus,  artificial  refinement.     Cf.  note,  6. 

Maculis  pellibusyue,  for  maculatis  pellibus  or  maculis  pellium, 
perhaps  to  avoid  the  concurrence  of  genitives. 

JBtlluarum-giynit.  Oceanus  =  terrae,  quas  Oceanus  alluit ;  and 
belluae  =  lutrae,  mustelae,  erminiae,  etc.,  so  Kiessling.  But  Gruber 
says  belluae  cannot  mean  such  small  creatures,  and  agrees  with  Lip- 
sius,  in  understanding  by  it  marine  animals,  seadogs,  seals,  etc. 
Freund  connects  it  in  derivation  with  SWjp,  fera  (bel  =  ber  =  ther  = 
'  fer),  but  defines  it  as  properly  an  animal  remarkable  for  size  or 
wildness.  JKxterior  Oceanus  =  Oceanus  extra  orbem  Romanum, 
further  explained  by  ignotum  mare.  Cf.  note,  2 :  adversus  Ocea- 
nus. 

Habitus,  here  —  vestitus ;  in  §  4  =  forma  corporis. 

Sacpius,  oftcner  than  the  men,  who  also  wore  linen  more  or 
less.  Gun. 

Purpura.     Facta  e  succo  plantis  et  floribus  cxpresso.     Gun. 

Nudae-lacerlos.  Graece  et  poetice.  Brachia  a  manu  ad  cubi- 
tum ;  lacerti  a  cubito  ad  humeros. 

XVIII.  Quanquam  =  sed  tamen,  i.  e.  notwithstanding  the  great 
freedom  in  the  dress  of  German  women,  yet  the  marriage  relation  is 
sacred.  This  use  of  quanquam  is  not  unfrequcnt  in  T.,  and  some- 
times occurs  in  Cic.,  often  in  Pliny.  See  Z.  841,  N. 

Qui  ambiuntur.  This  passage  is  construed  in  two  ways :  who 
are  surrounded  (ambiuntur  =  circumdantur,  cf.  H.  5,  12)  by  many 
wives  not  to  gratify  lust,  but  to  increase  their  rank  and  influence  (ob 
in  the  sense  for  the  sake  of,  cf.  ob  metum,  2).  Or  thus  :  who  (take 
many  wives)  not  to  gratify  lust,  but  on  account  of  their  rank  they 
are  solicited  to  form  many  matrimonial  alliances.  For  ambio  in  this 
sense  and  with  the  same  somewhat  peculiar  construction  after  it,  see 
H.  4,  51 :  tantis  sociorum  auxillis  ambiri  ;  also  Virg.  Aen.  7,  333  : 
connubiis  ambire  Latinum.  The  latter  is  preferable,  and  is  adopted 
by  Wr.,  K.,  Gr.,  Sch.,  S.,  etc.  The  former  by  Gun.  and  others.  Ario- 
vistus  had  two  wives.  Caes.  B.  G.  1,  53. 


120  NOTES. 

Probant,  cf.  probaverit,  13,  note. —  Comatur.  Subj.  denoting 
the  intention  of  the  presents  with  which  she  is  to  be  adorned.  H. 
500;  A.  andG.  317;  Z.  567. 

Frenatum,  bridled,  caparisoned  =  paratus  below. 

In  haec  munera  —  lirl  TOVTOIS  rots  tidpois.  In  —  upon  the  basis  of, 
on  condition  of.  So  Liv. :  in  has  leges,  in  easdem  leges. 

Aliquid  affert.  These  gifts  from  the  bride  or  her  guardian  rep- 
resented the  mutual  alliance  for  protection  and  aid  ;  Ihe  wife  was  to 
share  the  husband's  danger. 

Hoc-vinculum.  So,  §  13 :  haec  apud  illos  toga.  In  both  pas- 
sages the  allusion  is  to  Eoman  customs  (for  which  see  Becker's 
Gallus,  Exc.  1.  Scene  1).  In  Germany,  these  presents  take  the  place 
of  the  confarreatio  (see  Fiske's  Manual,  p.  286.  4.  ed.),  and  the  vari- 
ous other  methods  of  ratifying  the  marriage  contract  at  Rome; 
these,  of  the  religious  rites  in  which  the  parties  mutually  engaged 
on  the  wedding  day  (see  Man.,  p.  287). — Conjugate*  deos.  Certain 
gods  at  Rome  presided  over  marriage,  e.  g.  Jupiter,  Juno,  Yenus, 
Jugatinus,  Hymenaeus,  Diana,  etc. 

Extra.  Cic.  would  have  said  expcrtcm  or  positum  extra.  But 
T.  is  fond  of  the  adv.  used  elliptically. 

jA.uspiciis  =  initiatory  rites. 

Denuntiant,  proclaim,  denote. — Accipere  depends  on  dcnuntiant 
or  admonetur. 

JRursns,  quae-referantur.  Rhenanus  conjectured :  rursusque-re- 
ferant,  which  has  since  become  the  common  reading.  But  referantur 
is  the  reading  of  all  the  MSS.,  and  needs  no  emendation ;  and  guae, 
with  as  good  authority  as  quc,  makes  the  construction  more  natural 
and  the  sense  more  apposite.  The  passage,  as  Gr.  well  suggests, 
consists  of  two  parts  (accipere-reddat,  and  quae-accipiant-referantur), 
each  of  which  includes  the  two  ideas  of  receiving  and  handing  down 
to  the  next  generation.  Render  thus :  she  is  reminded  that  she  re- 
ceives gifts,  which  she  is  to  hand  over  pure  and  unsullied  to  her 
children  ;  which  her  daughters-in-law  are  to  receive  again  (sc.  from 
her  sons,  as  she  did  from  her  husband),  which  arc  to  be  transmitted 
by  them  to  her  grand-children.  In  another  writer,  we  might  expect 
referant  to  correspond  in  construction  and  subject  with  accipiant. 
But  Tacitus  is  fond  of  varying  the  construction.  Cf.  Botticher's 
Lex.  Tac.,  and  note,  16:  ignorantur. 

XTX.  Septa.     So  the  MSS.  for  the  most  part.     Al.  scptae.     Mean- 


GERHANIA.  121 

ing :  with  chastity  guarded,  sc.  by  the  sacredness  of  marriage  and 
the  excellent  institutions  of  the  Germans. 

Nullis-corruptae,  Here,  as  eyerywhere  else  in  this  treatise, 
T.  appears  as  the  censor  of  Roman  manners.  He  has  in  mind 
those  fruitful  sources  of  corruption  at  Rome,  public  shows  (cf. 
Sen.  Epist.  7 :  nihil  vero  est  tarn  damnosum  bonis  moribus  quam 
in  aliquo  spedaculo  dcsidere),  convivial  entertainments  (cf.  Hor. 
Od.  3,  6,  27),  and  epistolary  correspondence  between  the  two 
sexes. 

Litterarum  secrcta  =  litteras  secretas,  secret  correspondence  be- 
tween the  sexes,  for  this  limitation  is  obvious  from  the  connection. 
— Praesens.  Immediate. 

Mantis  permissa,  sc.  as  a  domestic  crime,  cf.  Caes.  B.  G.  C,  19 : 
Viri  in  uxores,  sicut  in  liberos,  vitae  necisque  habent  potestatem.  Cf. 
Beck.  Gall.,  Exc.  1.  Sc.  1. 

Accisis  crinibus,  as  a  special  mark  of  disgrace,  cf.  1  Cor.  11,  6. 
So  in  the  laws  of  the  Lombards,  the  punishment  of  adulteresses  was 
decalvari  elfustigari. — Omnem  vicum,  the  whole  village,  cf.  Germania 
omnis,  §  1. — Aetate  =juventa. 

Non-^invcnerit.  She  would  not  Jind,  could  not  expect  to  find.  This 
use  of  the  perf.  subj.,  for  a  softened  fut.,  occurs  in  negative  sen- 
tences oftener  than  in  positive  ones.  Cf.  Arnold's  Prose  Comp.  417, 
Note. 

Saeculum  •=.  indoles  et  mores  sacculi,  the  spirit  of  the  age,  the 
fashion. 

Adhnc  (=  ad-hoc)  is  generally  used  by  Cicero,  and  often  by 
Tacitus,  in  the  sense  either  of  still  (to  this  day),  or  moreover  (in 
addition  to  this).  From  these,  it  passed  naturally,  in  Quintilian  and 
the  writers  after  him,  into  the  sense  of  even  more,  still  more,  even, 
especially  in  connection  with  the  comparative  degree;  where  the 
authors  of  the  Augustan  age  would  have  used  eliam.  See  Z.  486  ; 
Botticher's  Lex.  Tac.  sub  voce ;  and  Hand's  Tursellinus,  vol.  L 
p.  165.  Melius  quidem  adhuc  =  still  better  even.  For  a  verb,  supply 
sunt  or  agunt.  Cf.  note  A.  19  :  nihil. 

Eae  civitates.  Such  as  the  Heruli,  among  whom  the  wife  was 
expected  to  hang  herself  at  once  at  the  grave  of  her  husband,  if  she 
would  not  live  in  perpetual  infamy.  At  Rome,  on  the  contrary, 
divorces  and  marriages  might  be  multiplied  to  any  extent,  cf.  Mart. 
6,  7 :  nubit  dccimo  viro  ;  also  Beck,  as  above  cited. 


122  NOTES. 

Semelt  like  &ro£,  once  for  all. 

Transigitur.  Properly  a  business  phrase.  The  business  is 
done  up,  brought  to  an  end.  So  A.  34 :  transigite  cum  expedi- 
tionibus. 

Ultra,  sc.  pirmum  maritum.  So  the  ellipsis  might  be  supplied. 
Ultra  here  is  equivalent  to  longior  in  the  next  clause,  as  T.  often 
puts  the  adverb  in  place  of  the  adjective,  whether  qualifying  or 
predicate. 

Ne  tanquam-ament,  sc.  maritum :  that  they  may  not  love  a  hus- 
band merely  as  a  husband  but  as  they  love  the  married  state.  See 
this  and  similar  examples  of  brachylogy  well  illustrated  in  Do'der- 
lein's  Essay  on  the  style  of  Tacitus,  H.  p.  14.  Since  but  one  marriage 
was  allowed,  all  their  love  for  the  married  state  must  be  concen- 
trated in  one  husband. 

Numerum-jinire.  In  any  way  contrary  to  nature  and  by  design. 
Gun.  Quod  fiebat  etiam  abortus  procuratione.  K. 

Ex  agnatis.  Agnati  hoc  loco  dicuntur,  qui  post  familiam  con- 
stitutam,  ubi  haeres  jam  est,  deinde  nascuntur.  Hess.  To  put  such 
to  death  was  a  barbarous  custom  among  the  Romans.  Cf.  Ann.  3, 
25 ;  see  Beck.  Gall.  Exc.  2.  scene  1. 

Alibi,  e.  g.  at  Rome. — Boni  mores  vs.  bonae  leges.  These  words 
involve  a  sentiment  of  great  importance,  and  of  universal  applica- 
tion. Good  habits  wherever  they  exist,  and  especially  in  a  republic, 
are  of  far  greater  value  and  efficacy  than  good  laws.  This  trait  re- 
ceived a  striking  illustration  at  Rome,  where  from  the  time  of  Augus- 
tus onward  attempts  were  repeatedly  made  to  check  by  law  the  de- 
cay of  family  life,  but  these  efforts  proved  utterly  futile. 

XX.  Nudi.  Cf.  6 :  nudi  aut  sagulo  leves.  Not  literally  naked, 
but  slightly  clad,  cf.  Sen.  de  benef.  5,  13 :  qui  male  vestitum  ct  pan- 
nosum  vidit,  nudum  se  vidisse  dicit. 

Sordidi.  Gun.  understands  this  of  personal  filth.  But  this  is 
inconsistent  with  the  daily  practice  of  bathing  mentioned,  §  22.  It 
doubtless  refers  to  the  dress,  as  Gr.  and  K.  understand  it :  nudi  ae 
sordidi  =  poorly  and  meanly  clad.  So  also  Or. 

Quae  miramur.  Cf.  4 :  magna  corpora.  See  also  Caes.  B.  G.  1, 
89.  4,  1.  On  haec,  see  note,  3 :  haec  quoque. 

Ancillis  ac  nutricibus.  So  hi  the  Dial,  de  Clar.  Orat,  T.  ani- 
madverts upon  the  custom  here  obliquely  censured:  nunc  natus 
infans  delegatur  Graeculae  alicui  ancillac.  In  the  early  ages  of 


GERMANIA.  123 

Roman  History  it  was  not  so ;  see  Becker's  Gall.  Exc.  2.  scene  1. — 
Ddeganlur.  Delegamus,  quum,  quod  ipsi  facere  debebamus,  id  per 
alterum  fieri  curamus.  E. 

Separet.  For  the  use  of  the  subj.  pres.  after  donee,  see  note,  1 : 
erumpat. — Agnoscat  =  faciat  ut  agnoscatur.  So  Dod.,  Giin.,  and  K. 
But  it  is  better  with,  Gr.,  to  regard  the  expression  as  poetical,  and 
virtus  as  personified :  and  valor  acknowledge  them,  sc.  as  brave 
men  and  therefore  by  implication  free  born. 

Venus  =  concubitus. — Pubertas  =  facultas  generandi.  Gr.  Cf. 
Caes.  B.  G.  6,  21 :  qui  diutissime  impuberes  permanserunt,  maximam 
inter  suos  ferunt  laudem. 

Virgines fcslinanlur  —  nuptiac  virginum  festinantur,  poetice.  The 
words  properare,  festinare,  accelerare  are  used  in  both  a  trans,  and 
intrans.  sense,  cf.  Hist.  2,  82 :  festinabantur ;  3,  37 :  festinarentur. 
Among  the  Romans,  boys  of  fourteen  contracted  marriage  with 
'girls  of  twelve.  Cf.  Smith's  Die.  Ant. 

Eadem,  similis,  pares.  The  comparison  is  between  the  youth  of 
the  two  sexes  at  the  time  of  marriage ;  they  toarry  at  the  same  age, 
equal  in  stature  and  equal  in  strength.  Marriages  unequal  in  these 
respects  were  frequent  at  Rome. — Pares— miscentur,  Plene :  pares 
paribus,  validae  validis  miscentur.  On  this  kind  of  brachylogy,  see 
further  in  Dod.,  Essay  on  style  of  T.,  H.  p.  15.  Miscentur  has  a 
middle  sense,  as  the  passive  often  has,  particularly  in  Tacitus.  Cf. 
note  21 :  oblitjantur. 

Referunt.  Cf.  Virg.  Aen.  4,  329 :  parvulus  Aeneas,  qui  te  tamen 
ore  referret.  See  note,  39  :  auguriis. 

Ad palrcm.  Ad  is  often  equivalent  to  apud  in  the  best  Latin 
authors ;  e.  g.  Cic.  ad  Att.  10.  16 :  ad  me  fuit  =  apud  me  fuit. 
Rhenanus  by  conjecture  wrote  apud  patrem  to  correspond  with 
apud  avunculum.  But  Passow  restored  ad  with  the  best  reason.  For 
T.  prefers  different  words  and  constructions  in  antithetic  clauses. 
Perhaps  also  a  different  sense  is  here  intended  from  that  which 
would  have  been  expressed  by  apud.  Wr.  takes  ad  in  the  sense  in 
respect  to :  as  in  re.ipect  to  a  father,  i.  e.  as  they  would  have,  if  he 
were  their  father. 

Exigunt,  sc.  hunc  nexum  =  sororum  filios. 

Tanquam.  Like  Greek  &s  to  denote  the  views  of  others,  not  of 
the  writer.  Hence  followed  by  the  subj.  H.  531  and  503  ;  A.  and 
G.  336  and  312;  Z.  571. 


124  NOTES. 

Et  in  animum.  In  —  quod  attinet  ad,  in  respect  to.  The  com- 
monly received  text  has  ii  et  animum,  which  is  a  mere  conjecture 
of  Rhen.  According  to  K.,  teneant  has  for  its  subject  not  sororum 
filii,  but  the  same  subject  as  exigunt.  Render :  Since,  as  they  sup. 
pose,  both  in  respect  to  the  mind  (the  affections),  they  hold  it  more 
strongly,  and  in  respect  to  the  family,  more  extensively. 

Heredes  properly  refers  to  property,  successorcs  to  rank,  though 
the  distinction  is  not  always  observed. — Liberi  includes  both  sons 
and  daughters. 

Patrui,  paternal  uncles ;  avunculi,  maternal. 

Propinqui,  blood  relations ;  affines,  by  marriage. 

Orbitatis  pretia.  Pretia  =proemia.  Orbitatis=  childlessness. 
Those  who  had  no  children  were  courted  at  Rome  for  the  sake  of 
their  property.  Vid.  Sen.  Consol.  ad  Marc.  19 :  in  civitate  nostra, 
plus  gratiae  orbitas  confert,  quam  eripit.  So  Plutarch  de  Amore 
Prolis  says :  the  childless  are  entertained  by  the  rich,  courted  by 
the  powerful,  defended  gratuitously  by  the  eloquent:  many,  who 
had  friends  and  honore  in  abundance,  have  been  stripped  of  both 
by  the  birth  of  a  single  child. 

XXI.  Neccsse  cst.  It  is  their  duty  and  the  law  of  custom.  Gun. 
— Nee  =  non  tamen. — Homicidium.  A  post- Augustan  word. 

Armcntorum  ac  pecorum.  For  the  distinction  between  these 
words,  see  note,  §  5.  The  high  value  which  they  attached  to  their 
herds  and  flocks,  as  their  solac  et  gratissimae  opes,  may  help  to  ex- 
plain the  law  or  usage  here  specified.  Moreover,  where  the  indi- 
vidual was  so  much  more  prominent  than  the  state,  homicide  even 
might  be  looked  upon  as  a  private  wrong,  and  hence  to  be  atoned 
for  by  a  pecuniary  satisfaction,  cf.  Tur.  Hist.  Ang.  Sax.,  App.  No.  3, 
chap.  1. 

Juxta  libertatem,  i.  e.  simul  cum  libertate,  or  inter  liberos  homi- 
nes. The  form  of  expression  is  characteristic  of  the  later  Latin. 
Cf.  Hand's  Tursellinus,  vol.  III.  p.  638.  Tacitus  is  particularly 
partial  to  this  preposition.- 

Convictibus  refers  to  the  entertainment  of  countrymen  and 
friends,  hospitiis  to  that  of  strangers. 

Pro  fortuna.  According  to  his  mearts.  So  Ann.  4,  23:  fortunae 
inops. 

Defecere,  sc.  epulae.  Quum  exhausta  sint,  quac  apparata  erant, 
cf.  24 :  omnia  defecerunt. 


GERMANIA.  125 

Hospes.  Properly  stranger;  and  hence  either  guest  or  host. 
Here  the  latter. — Comes.  Guest.  So  Gun.  and  the  common  edi- 
tions. But  most  recent  editors  place  a  colon  after  comes,  thus 
making  it  predicate,  and  referring  it  to  the  host  becoming  the 
guide  and  companion  of  his  guest  to  another  place  of  entertainment. 

Non  invitati,  i.  e.  etiam  si  non  invitati  essent.     Gun. 

Nee  interest,  i.  e.  whether  invited  or  not. 

Jus  hospitis.  The  right  of  the  guest  to  a  hospitable  reception. 
So  Cic.  Tus.  Quaes.  1,  26 :  jus  hominum. 

Quantum  ad  belongs  to  the  silver  age.  In  the  golden  age  they 
said:  quod  attinet  ad,  or  simply  ad.  Gr.  Cicero  however  has 
quantum  in,  N.  D.  3,  7 ;  and  Ovid,  quantum  ad,  A.  A.  1,  744.  Cf. 
Freund  sub  voce. 

Concedere,  According  to  ancient  custom,  the  host  gave  a  pres- 
ent to  the  departing  guest,  an  obligation  which  was  so  well  under- 
stood that  the  gift  might  even  be  asked  for. 

Imputant.  Make  charge  or  account  of.  Nearly  confined  to  the 
later  Latin.  Frequent  in  T.  in  the  reckoning  both  of  debt  and 
credit,  of  praise  and  blame.  Cic.  said:  assignare  alicui  aliquid. 

Obligantur,  i.  e.  obligates  esse  putant.  Forma  passiva  ad  modum 
medii  verbi  Graeci.  Gun.  Cf.  note,  20 :  miscentur. 

Viclus-comis.  The  mode  of  life  between  host  and  guest  is  courte- 
ous. For  victus  =  manner  of  life,  cf.  Cic.  Inv.  1,  25,  35. 

XXII.  E  is  not  exactly  equivalent  here  to  a,  nor  does  it  mean 
simply  after,  but  immediately  on  awaking  out  of  sleep. — Lavantur, 
wash  themselves,  i.  e,  bathe ;  like  Gr.  \O<LIO/JUU.  So  aggregantur,  13  ; 
obligantur,  21,  et  passim. 

Calida,  sc.  aqua,  cf,  in  Greek,  bfpfup  \ovetrdcu,  Aristoph.  Nub. 
1040.  In  like  manner  Pliny  uses  friaida,  Ep.  6,  16 :  Bemel  iter- 
umquo  frigidam  poposcit  transitque.  Other  writers  speak  of  the 
Germans  as  bathing  in  their  rivers,  doubtless  in  the  summer ;  but 
in  the  winter  they  use  the  warm  bath,  as  more  agreeable  in  that 
cold  climate.  So  in  Russia  and  other  cold  countries,  cf.  Mur.  in  loco. 

Separatae-mensa.  Contra  Romanorum  luxuriam,  ex  more  fere 
Homerici  aevi.  Giin. 

Sedcs,  opposed  to  the  triclinia,  on  which  the  Romans  used  to 
recline,  a  practice  as  unknown  to  the  rude  Germans  as  to  the  early 
Greeks  and  Hebrews.  See  Color.  Stud,  of  Gr.  Poets,  p.  71  (Boston, 
1842). 


126  NOTES. 

Negotia.  Plural  =  their  various  pursuits.  So  Cic.  de  Or.  2,  6  : 
forensia  negotia.  Negotium  =  nec-otium,  C  and  G  being  originally 
identical,  as  they  still  are  almost  in  form. — Armati.  Cf.  note,  11 : 
ut  turbae  placuit. 

Continuare,  etc.  est  diem  noctemque  jungere  potando,  sive  die 
nocteque  perpotationem  continuare.  K. 

Ut,  sc.  solet  fieri,  cf.  ut  in  licentia,  §  2.  The  clause  limits  crc- 
brae ;  it  is  the  frequent  occurrence  of  brawls,  that  is  customary 
among  those  given  to  wine. 

Transiguntur.     See  note  on  transigitur,  §  19. 

Asciscendis,  i.  e.  assumendis. 

Simplices  manifestly  refers  to  the  expression  of  thought ;  ex- 
plained afterwards  by  fingere  nesciunt  =  frank,  ingenuous.  Cf.  His. 
1,  15  :  simplicissime  loquimur  ;  Ann.  1,  69  :  eimplices  curas. 

Astuta-callida.  Astutus  est  natura,  callidus  multaram  rcrum 
peritia.  Kit.  Astutus,  cunning ;  callidus,  worldly  wise.  Dod. 

Adhuc.  To  this  day,  despite  the  degeneracy  and  dishonesty  of 
the  age.  So  Dod.  and  Or.  Rit.  says :  quae  adhuc  pectore  clausa 
erant.  Others  still  make  it  =  etiam,  even.  Cf.  note,  19. 

Retradatur.     Reviewed,  reconsidered. 

Salva-ratio  est.  The  proper  relation  of  both  times  is  preserved, 
or  the  advantage  of  both  is  secured,  as  more  fully  explained  hi  the 
next  member,  viz.  by  discussing  when  they  are  incapable  of  disguise, 
and  deciding  when  they  are  not  liable  to  mistake.  Cf.  Or.  in  loco, 
and  Botticher  sub  v. 

Passow  well  remarks,  that  almost  every  German  usage,  men- 
tioned in  this  chapter,  is  in  marked  contrast  with  Roman  manners 
and  customs.  Romans  rose  early,  reclined  at  the  table,  and  that 
together ;  they  considered  it  unbefitting  to  introduce  business,  and 
dishonorable  to  allow  strife  at  the  banquet,  as  it  was  also  improper 
to  indulge  in  rioting  in  the  early  part  of  the  day. 

XXIII.  Potui  =  pro  potu,  or  in  potum,  dat.  of  the  end.  So  46  : 
Victui  herba,  vestitui  pelles.  T.  and  Sallust  are  particularly  fond 
of  this  construction.  Cf.  Bot.  Lex.  Tac.,  sub  Dativus. 

Hordeo  aut  frumento.  Hordco  =  barley  ;  frumento,  properly 
fruit  (frugimentum,  fruit  KO.T'  ^£oxV.  i-  e.  grain),  grain  of  any  kind, 
here  wheat,  cf.  Veget.  R.  M.  1,  13  :  et  milites  pro  frumento  hordeum 
cogerentur  accipere. 

Similitudinfm  vini.     Seer,  for  which  the  Greeks  and  Romans 


GERMANIA.  127 

had  no  name.  Hence  Herod.  (2,  77)  speaks  of  divas  tit  K/u&cW 
irfiroi7i/j.fi>os,  among  the  Egyptians. 

Corruplus.  Cum  Tacitea  indignatione  dictum,  cf.  4  :  infectos,  so 
Gun.  But  the  word  is  often  used  to  denote  mere  change,  without 
the  idea  of  being  made  worse,  cf.  Virg.  Geor.  2,  466 :  Nee  casia 
liquidi  corrumpitur  usua  olivi.  Here  render  fermented. 

Ripae,  sc.  of  the  Rhine  and  Danube,  i.  e.  the  Roman  border,  as 
in  22  :  proximi  ripae. 

Poma.  Fruits  of  any  sort,  cf.  Pliny,  K  H.  17,  26 :  arborem 
vidimus  omni  genere  pomorum  onustum,  alio  ramo  nucibiis,  alio 
baccis,  aliunde  vite,  fids,  piris,  etc. 

Recensfera.  Venison,  or  other  game  fresh,  i.  e.  recently  taken, 
in  distinction  from  the  tainted,  which  better  suited  the  luxurious 
taste  of  the  Romans. 

Lac  concretum.  Called  caseus  by  Caes.  B.  G.  6,  22.  But  the 
Germans,  though  they  lived  so  much  on  milk,  did  not  understand 
the  art  of  making  cheese,  see  Pliny,  N.  H.  11,  96:  "De  caseo  non 
cogitandum,  potius  quod  nostrates  dicunt  dickemilch  "  (i.  e.  curdled 
milk).  Gun. 

Apparatu.    Luxurious  preparation. — Blandimentis.    Dainties. 

Hand  minus  facile.     Litotes  for  multo  facilius. 

Ebrietati.    Like  the  American  Aborigines,  see  note,  §  15. 

XXIV.  Nudi.  See  note,  §  20.  This  sword-dance  is  said  to 
have  been  originally  a  religious  observance.  In  some  localities  it 
has  been  practised  as  late  as  the  seventeenth  century. 

Quibus  id  ludicrum.  For  whom  it  is  a  sport ;  not  whose  business 
it  is  to  furnish  the  amusement:  that  would  be  quorum est.  K.  and  Gr. 

Infestas  =  porrectas  contra  saltantes.     K. — Decor  em.    Poetic. 

Quaestum  =  quod  quaeritur,  gain. — Mercedem,  stipulated  pay, 
wages. 

Quamvis  limits  audacis  =  daring  as  it  is  (as  you  please). 

Sobrii  inter  seria.  At  Rome  gaming  was  forbidden,  except  at 
the  Saturnalia,  cf.  Hor.  Od.  3,  24,  58 :  vetita  legibus  alea.  The  re- 
markable circumstance  (quod  mirere)  in  Germany  was,  that  they 
practised  it  not  merely  as  an  amusement  at  their  feasts,  but  when 
sober  among  (inter)  their  ordinary  every-day  pursuits. 

Novissimo.  Tfie  last  in  a  series.  Very  frequently  in  this  sense 
in  T.,  so  also  in  Caes.  Properly  newest,  then  latest,  last.  Cf.  note, 
His.  1,  47.  Extrcmo, involving  the  greatest  hazard,  like  our  extreme: 


128  NOTES. 

last  and  final  (decisive)  throw.  This  excessive  love  of  play,  extend- 
ing even  to  the  sacrifice  of  personal  liberty,  is  seen  also  among  the 
American  Indians,  see  Robertson,  Hist,  of  America,  vol.  2,  pp.  202- 
3.  It  is  characteristic  of  barbarous  and  savage  life,  cf.  Mur.  in  loco. 

De  libertate  ac  de  corpora.     Hendiadys  =  personal  liberty. 

Voluntariam.  An  earlier  Latin  author  would  have  used  ipsc, 
ultro,  or  the  like,  limiting  the  subject  of  the  verb,  instead  of  the 
object.  The  Latin  of  the  golden  age  prefers  concrete  words.  The 
later  Latin  approached  nearer  to  the  English,  in  using  more  abstract 
terms.  Cf.  note  on  rcpercussit,  3. 

Juvenior.  More  youthful,  and  therefore  more  vigorous;  not 
merely  younger  (junior).  See  Dod.  and  Hit.  in  loc.  Forcellini  and 
Freund  cite  only  two  other  examples  of  this  full  form  of  the  com- 
parative (Plin.  Ep.  4,  8,  and  Apul.  Met.  8,  21),  in  which  it  does  not 
differ  in  meaning  from  the  common  contracted  form. 

Ea  =  talis  or  tanta.     Such  or  so  great.     Gr. 

Pervicacia.  Pervicaces  sunt,  qui  in  aliquo  certamine  ad  vincen- 
dum  perseverant,  Schol.  Hor.  Epod.  17,  14. 

Pudore.  Shame,  disgrace.  So  also  His.  3,  61 ;  contrary  to  usage 
of  earlier  writers,  who  use  it  for  sense  of  shame,  modesty. 

XXV.  Ceteris.  All  but  those  who  have  gambled  away  their 
own  liberty,  as  in  §  24. — In  nostrum  morem,  etc.,  with  specific  duties 
distributed  through  the  household  (the  slave-household,  cf.  note,  15), 
as  explained  by  the  following  clause.  On  the  extreme  subdivision  of 
office  among  slaves  at  Rome  see  Beck.  Gall.  Exc.  2.  Sc.  2 ;  and  Smith's 
Die.  Antiq.  under  Servus. 

Dcscripta  =  dimensa,  distribute     Gun. 

Familiam.     Here  the  entire  body  of  servants,  cf.  note,  §  15. 

Quisquc.     Each  servant  has  his  own  house  and  home. 

Ut  colono.  Like  the  tenant  or  farmer  among  the  Romans  (the 
Roman  colonus  was  a  serf  attached  to  the  land  and  transferred  with 
it);  also  the  vassal  in  the  middle  ages,  and  the  serf  in  modern 
Europe. 

Hactenus.  Thus  far,  and  no  fartlier,  i.  e.  if  he  pays  his  rent  or 
tax,  no  more  is  required  of  him. 

Cetera.  The  rest  of  the  duties  (usually  performed  by  a  Roman 
servant),  viz.  those  of  the  house,  the  wife  and  children  (sc.  of  the 
master)  perform.  Gr.  strangely  refers  uxor  et  liberi  to  the  wife  and 
children  of  the  servant.  Passow  also  refers  domus  to  the  house  of 


GERMANIA.  129 

the  servant,  thus  making  it  identical  with  the  pennies  above,  with 
which  it  seems  rather  to  be  contrasted.  With  the  use  of  cetera  here, 
compare  His.  4,  66 :  ceterum  vulgus  =  the  rest,  viz.  the  common 
soldiers,  and  see  the  principle  well  illustrated  in  Doderlein's  Essay, 
His.  p.  IT. 

Opcre.  Hard  labor,  which  would  serve  as  a  punishment.  The 
Romans  punished  their  indolent  and  refractory  domestics,  by  send- 
ing them  to  labor  in  the  country,  as  well  as  by  heavy  chains  (yinculis) 
and  cruel  flagellations  (verberare).  They  had  also  the  power  of  life 
and  death  (occidere).  Beck.  Gall.  Exc.  2.  Sc.  2 ;  Smith's  Die.  Ant.  as 
above. 

Non  disciplina-ira.  Hcndiadys  —  non  disciplinae  severitate,  sed 
irae  impetu.  Cf.  His.  1,  51 :  severitate  disciplinae. 

Nisi-impune,  i.  e.  without  the  pecuniary  penalty  or  satisfaction, 
which  was  demanded  when  one  put  to  death  an  enemy  (inimicum). 
Cf.  21. 

Liberti-lilertini.  These  words  denote  the  same  persons,  but 
with  this  difference  in  the  idea :  libertus  =  the  freedman  of  some 
particular  master,  libertinus  =  one  in  the  condition  of  a  freedman 
without  reference  to  any  master.  At  the  time  of  the  Decemvirate, 
and  for  some  time  after,  liberti  =  emancipated  slaves,  libertini  =  the 
descendants  of  such,  cf.  Suet.  Claud.  24. 

Quae  regnantur.  Governed  by  kings.  Ex  poetarum  more  dic- 
tum, cf.  Virg.  Aen.  6,  794 :  regnata  per  arva.  So  43 :  Gothones 
regnantur,  and  44 :  Suiones.  Gun. 

Ingenuos  —  free  born ;  nobiles  =  high  born. 

Ascendunt,  i.  e.  ascendere  possunt. 

Ceteros.     By  synesis  (see  Gr.)  for  ceteras,  sc.  gentes. 

Impares,  sc.  ingenuis  et  nobilibus. 

Libertatis  argumentum,  inasmuch  as  they  value  liberty  and 
citizenship  too  much  to  confer  it  on  freedmeu  and  slaves.  The 
whole  topic  of  freedmen  is  an  oblique  censure  of  Roman  custom  in 
the  age  of  the  Emperors,  whose  freedmen  were  not  unfrequently 
their  favorites  and  prime  ministers. 

XXVI.     Fenus  agiiare.     To  loan  money  at  interest. 

Et  in  usuras  extcndere.  And  to  put  out  that  interest  again  on 
interest.  The  other  explanation,  viz.  that  it  means  simply  to  put 
money  at  interest,  makes  the  last  clause  wholly  superfluous. 

Scrvatur.     Is  secured,  sc.  abstinence  from  usury,  or  the  non- 


130  NOTES. 

existence  of  usury,  which  is  the  essential  idea  of  the  preceding 
clause. 

Ideo-vetitum  cssct,  sc.  ignoti  nulla  cupido!  Cf.  19:  boni  mores 
vs.  bonae  leges.  Gun.  The  reader  cannot  fail  to  recognize  here, 
as  usual,  the  reference  to  Rome,  where  usury  was  practised  to  an 
exorbitant  extent.  See  Arnold's  His.  of  Rome,  vol.  1  passim. 

Universis.     Whole  clans,  in  distinction  from  individual  owners. 

In  vices.  By  turns.  Al.  vices,  vice,  vicis.  Dod.  prefers  in 
vicis ;  Kit.  in  vicos  =  for  i.  e.  by  villages.  But  whether  we  trans- 
late by  turns  or  by  villages,  it  comes  to  the  same  thing.  Cf.  Caes. 
B.  G.  6,  22.  Perhaps  the  thought  of  Tacitus  arose  from  the  custom 
of  frequent  change  between  tilled  and  untilled  land,  which  was  al- 
ways regulated  and  enforced  by  the  strictest  law  of  usage. 

Camporum,  arva,  ager,  soli,  terrae,  etc.  These  words  differ  from 
each  other  appropriately  as  follows :  Terra  is  opposed  to  mare  et 
coelum.  viz.  earth.  Solum  is  the  substratum  of  any  thing,  viz.  solid 
ground  or  soil.  Campus  is  an  extensive  plain  or  level  surface, 
whether  of  land  or  water,  here  fields.  Ager  is  distinctively  the 
territory  that  surrounds  a  city,  viz.  the  public  lands.  Arvum  is 
ager  aralus,  viz.  plough  lands.  Bredow. 

Superest.     There  is  enough,  and  more,  cf.  §  6,  note. 

Lahore  contendunt.  They  do  not  strive  emulously  to  equal  the 
fertility  of  the  soil  by  their  own  industry.  Passow. 

Imperatur.  Just  as  frumentum,  commeatus,  obsides,  etc.,  impe- 
rantur,  are  demanded  or  expected.  Gun. 

Toiidem,  sc.  quot  Romani,  cf.  idem,  4,  note.  Tacitus  often  omits 
one  member  of  a  comparison,  as  he  does  also  one  of  two  compara- 
tive particles. 

Species.  Parts.  Sometimes  the  logical  divisions  of  a  genus ;  so 
used  by  Cic.  and  Quin.  (§  6,  58) :  cum  genus  dividitur  in  species. 

Intelledum.  A  word  of  the  silver  age,  cf.  note  on  voluntariam, 
24.  Intellectum-habent  =  are  understood  and  named.  "  Quam 
distortum  dicendi  genus  ! "  Gun. 

Autumnir-ignorantur.  Accordingly  in  English,  spring,  summer, 
and  winter,  are  Saxon  words,  while  autumn  is  of  Latin  origin  (Auc- 
tumnus).  See  Dttbner  in  loc.  Still  such  words  as  Harfest,  Her- 
pist,  Harfst,  Herbst,  in  other  Teutonic  dialects,  apply  to  the  au- 
tumnal season,  and  not,  like  our  word  harvest,  merely  to  the  fruits 
of  it. 


GERMANIA-  131 

XXVII.  Funera,  proprie  de  toto  apparatu  sepulturae.  E. 
Funeral  rites  were  performed  with  great  pomp  and  extravagance  at 
Home ;  cf.  Fiske'a  Man.  §  340 ;  see  also  Mur.  in  loco,  and  Beck. 
Gall.  Exc.  Sc.  12. 

Ambitio.  Primarily  the  solicitation  of  office  by  the  candidate  ; 
then  the  parade  and  display  that  attended  it ;  then  parade  in  gene- 
ral, especially  La  a  bad  sense. 

Certis,  i.  e.  rite  statutis.     Giin. 

Cumulant.  Structura  est  poetica,  cf.  Virg.  Acn.  11,  60:  cumu- 
latque  altaria  donis.  K. 

Equus  adjicitur.  Herodotus  relates  the  same  of  the  Scythians 
(4,  71)  ;  Caesar,  of  the  Gauls  (B.  G.  6,  19).  Indeed  all  rude  nations 
bury  with  the  dead  those  objects  which  are  most  dear  to  them 
when  living,  under  the  notion  that  they  will  use  and  enjoy  them  La 
a  future  state.  See  Robertson's  Amer.  B.  4,  etc.,  etc. 

Sepulcrum-erigit.  Still  poetical ;  literally :  a  turf  rears  the 
tomb.  Cf.  His.  5,  6 :  Libanum  erigit. 

Ponunt  =  deponunt.  So  Cic.  Tusc.  Qu. :  ad  ponendum  dolorem. 
Cf.  A.  20 :  posuere  iram. 

Feminis-^meminisse.  Cf.  Sen.  Ep. :  Vir  prudens  meminisse  per- 
severet,  lugere  desinat. 

Accepimus.  Ut  ab  aliis  tradita  audivimus,  non  ipsi  cognovimus. 
K.  See  Preliminary  Remarks. 

In  commune.  Cic.  would  have  said,  universe,  or  de  universa 
origine.  Gr.  Cic.  uses  in  commune,  but  in  a  different  sense,  viz.  for 
the  common  weal.  See  Freund  sub  voc. 

Instiluta,  political ;  ritus,  religious. 

Quae  nationes.  And  what  tribes,  etc. ;  quae  for  quaeque  by 
asyndeton,  or  perhaps,  as  Rit.  suggests,  by  mistake  of  the  copyist. 
— Commigraverint.  Subj.  of  the  indirect  question.  H.  525  ;  A.  and 
G.  334;  Z. 552. 

German  critics  have  expended  much  labor  and  research,  in 
defining  the  locality  of  the  several  German  tribes  with  which  the 
remainder  of  the  Treatise  is  occupied.  In  so  doing,  they  rely  not 
only  on  historical  data,  but  also  on  the  traces  of  ancient  names  still 
attached  to  cities,  forests,  mountains,  and  other  localities  (cf.  note, 
§  16).  These  we  shall  sometimes  advert  to  in  the  notes.  But  on 
the  whole,  these  speculations  of  German  antiquarians  are  not  only 
less  interesting  to  scholars  in  other  countries,  but  are  so  unsatisfac- 


NOTES. 

tory  and  contradictory  among  themselves,  that,  for  the  most  part, 
we  shall  pass  them  over  with  very  little  attention.     There  is  mani- 
festly an  intrinsic  difficulty  in  defining  the  ever  changing  limits  of 
uncivilized  and  unsettled  tribes.     Hence  the  irreconcilable  contra- 
dictions between  ancient  authorities,  as  well  as  modern  critiques,  on 
this  subject     Tacitus,  and  the  Roman  writers  generally,  betray  their 
want  of  definite  knowledge  of  Germany  by  the  frequency  with  which 
they  specify  the  names  of  mountains  and  rivers.     The  following 
geographical  outline  is  from  Ukert,  and  must  suffice  for  \hcgeography 
of  the  remainder  of  the  Treatise :  "  In  the  corner  between  the  Rhine 
and  the  Danube,  are  the  Decumates  Agri,  perhaps  as  far  as  the 
Mayne,  29.      Northward  on  the  Rhine  dwell  the  Mattiaci,  whose 
neighbors  on  the  east  are  the  Chatti,  30.     On  the  same  river  farther 
north  are  the  Usipii  and  the  Tencteri ;  then  the  Frisii,  32-34.     East- 
ward of  the  Tencteri  dwell  the  Chamavi  and  the  Angrivarii  (earlier 
the  Bructeri),  and  east  or  southeast  of  them  the  Dulgibini  and  Cha- 
suarii,  34,  and  other  small  tribes.     Eastward  of  the  Frisii  Germany 
juts  out  far  towards  the  north,  35.     On  the  coast  of  the  bay  thus 
formed,  dwell  the  Chauci,  east  of  the  Frisii  and  the  above  mentioned 
tribes ;  on  the  south,  they  reach  to  the  Chatti.     East  of  the  Chauci 
and  the  Chatti  are  the  Cherusci,  36,  whose  neighbors  are  the  Fosi. 
The  Cherusci  perhaps,  according  to  Tacitus,  do  not  reach  to  the 
ocean ;  and  in  the  angle  of  the  above  bay,  he  places  the  Cimbri,  37. 
Thus  Tacitus  represents  the  western  half  of  Germany.     The  eastern 
is  of  greater  dimensions.     There  are  the  Suevi,  38.     He  calls  the 
country  Suevia,  41,  and  enumerates  many  tribes,  which  belong  there. 
Eastward  of  the  Cherusci  he  places  the  Semnones  and  Langobardi ; 
north  of  them  are  the  Reudigni,  Aviones,  Anglii,  Varini,  Eudoses, 
Suardones  and  Nuithones ;  and  all  these  he  may  have  regarded  as 
lying  in  the  interior,  and  as  the  most  unknown  tribes,  41.     He  then 
mentions  the  tribes  that  dwell  on  the  Danube,  eastward  from  the 
Decumates  Agri :  the  Hermunduri,  in  whose  country  the  Elbe  has  its 
source ;  the  Varisti,  Marcomani  and  Quadi,  41-42.     The  Marcomani 
hold  the  country  which  the  Boii  formerly  possessed  ;  and  northward 
of  them  and  the  Quadi,  chiefly  on  the  mountains  which  run  through 
Suevia,  are  the  Marsigni,  Gothini,  Osi  and  Buri,  43.     Farther  north 
are  the  Lygii,  consisting  of  many  tribes,  among  which  the  most  dis- 
tinguished are  the  Arii,  Ilelvecones,  Manimi,  Elysii  and  Nahanarvali, 
43.     Still  farther  north  dwell  the  Gothones,  and,  at  the  ocean,  the 


GERMANIA.  133 

Rugii  and  Lemovii.  Upon  islands  in  the  ocean  live  the  Suiones,  44. 
Upon  the  mainland,  on  the  coast,  are  the  tribes  of  the  Aestii,  and 
near  them,  perhaps  on  islands,  the  Sitones,  45.  Perhaps  he  assigned 
to  them  the  immense  islands  to  which  he  refers  in  his  first  chapter. 
Here  ends  Suevia.  Whether  the  Peucini,  Venedi  and  Fenni  are  to 
be  reckoned  as  Germans  or  Sarmatians,  is  uncertain,  46.  The  Hel- 
lusii  and  Oxonae  are  fabulous." 

The  following  paragraph  from  Prichard's  Researches  embodies 
some  of  the  more  general  conclusions  of  ethnographers,  especially  of 
Zeuss,  on  whom  Prichard,  in  common  with  Orelli  and  many  other 
scholars,  places  great  reliance.  "  Along  the  coast  of  the  German 
Ocean  and  across  the  isthmus  of  the  Cimbric  peninsula  to  the  shore 
of  the  Baltic,  were  spread  the  tribes  of  the  Chauci  and  Frisii,  the 
Anglii,  Saxones  and  the  Teutones  or  Jutes,  who  spoke  the  Low- 
German  languages,  and  formed  one  of  the  four  divisions  of  the  Ger- 
man race,  corresponding  as  it  seems  with  the  Ingaevones  of  Tacitus 
and  Pliny.  In  the  higher  and  more  central  parts,  the  second  great 
division  of  the  race,  that  of  the  Hcrmiones,  was  spread,  the  tribes  of 
which  spoke  Upper  or  High-German  dialects.  Beginning  in  the 
West  with  the  country  of  the  Sigambri  on  the  Rhine,  and  from  that 
of  the  Cherusci  and  Angrivarii  near  the  Weser  and  the  Hartz,  this 
division  comprehended,  besides  those  tribes,  the  Chatti,  the  Lango- 
bardi,  the  Hermunduri,  the  Marcomani  and  Quadi,  the  Lugii,  and 
beyond  the  Vistula  the  Bastarnae,  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Car- 
pathian hills.  To  the  eastward  and  northward  of  the  last  mentioned 
near  the  lower  course  of  the  Vistula  and  thence  at  least  as  far  as  the 
Pregel,  were  the  primitive  abodes  of  the  Goths  and  their  cognate 
tribes,  who  are  perhaps  the  Isiaevoncs."  The  fourth  division  of 
Prichard  embraced  the  Scandinavians,  who  spoke  a  language  kindred 
to  the  Germans  and  were  usually  classed  with  them.  Those  who 
would  examine  this  subject  more  thoroughly,  will  consult  Adelung, 
Zeuss,  Grimm,  Ritter,  Ukert,  Prichard,  Latham,  etc.,  who  have  writ- 
ten expressly  on  the  geography  or  the  ethnography  of  Germany. 

XXVIII.  Summits  auctorum,  i.  e.  omnium  scriptorum  is,  qui 
plurimum  aucloritatis  fideique  habet.  K.  Cf.  Sueton.  Caes.  56. 
Though  T.  commends  so  highly  the  authority  of  Caesar  as  a  writer, 
yet  he  differs  from  him  in  not  a  few  matters  of  fact,  as  well  as  opin- 
ion ;  owing  chiefly,  doubtless,  to  the  increased  means  of  information 
which  he  possessed  in  the  age  of  Trajan. 


134  NOTES. 

Divus  Julius.  Divus  =  deified,  divine;  an  epithet  applied  to  the 
Roman  Emperors  after  their  decease. — Tradit.  Cf.  Caes.  B.  G.  6, 
24 :  fuit  antea  tempus,  cum  Germanos  Oalli  virtute  superarcnt,  ultro 
bella  inferrent,  propter  hominum  multitudinem  agrique  inopiam  trans 
Rhenum  colonias  mitterent.  Livy  probably  refers  to  the  same  events, 
when  he  says  (Lib.  5,  34),  that  in  the  reign  of  Priscus  Tarquinius, 
two  immense  bodies  of  Gauls  migrated  and  took  possession,  the  one 
of  the  Hercynian  Forest,  the  other  of  Upper  Italy. 

Amnis.     The  Rhine. — Promiscuas.     Unsettled,  ill  defined. 

Quo  minus  after  a  verb  of  hindering  is  followed  by  the  subj.  H. 
499;  A.  and  G.  331,  e;  Z.  543. 

Nutta-divisas,  i.e.  not  distributed  among  different  and  powerful  kings. 

Hercyniam  silvarn.  A  series  of  forests  and  mountains,  stretching 
from  Helvetia  to  Hungary  in  a  line  parallel  to  the  Danube,  and  de- 
scribed by  Caesar  (B.  G.  6,  25)  as  nine  days'  journey  in  breadth  and 
more  than  sixty  in  length.  The  name  seems  to  be  preserved  in  the 
modern  Hartz  Forest,  which  is  however  far  less  extensive. 

Igitur-Helvetii  =  igitur  regionem  inter,  etc.  See  note  on  colunt, 
16.  Igitur  seldom  stands  as  the  first  word  in  a  sentence  in  Cicero. 
Cf.  Z.  357:  and  Kuhner's  Cic.  Tusc.  Qu.  1,  6,  11.  Here  it  intro- 
duces a  more  particular  explanation  of  the  general  subject  mentioned 
at  the  close  of  the  previous  chapter.  So  in  A.  13.  When  so  used, 
it  sometimes  stands  first  in  Cic.,  always  in  T.  Cf.  Freund  sub  v. 
Touching  the  Helvetii,  see  Caes.  B.  G.  1,  1 ;  T.  His.  1,  67. 

Boihemi  nomen.  Compounded  of  Boii  and  heim  (home  of  the 
Boii),  now  Bohemia.  Heim  =  ham  in  the  termination  of  so  many 
names  of  towns,  e.  g.  FramingAam,  Notting/tajn.  The  Boii  were 
driven  from  their  country  by  the  Marcomani,  42.  The  fugitives  are 
supposed  to  have  carried  their  name  into  Boioaria,  now  Bavaria. 
Cf.  Prichard'a  Physical  Researches,  Vol.  III.  Chap.  1,  Sec.  6 ;  and 
Latham's  Germany  of  Tacitus  in  loco. 

Gcrmanorum  natione,  i.  e.  German  in  situation,  not  in  origin,  for 
this  he  expressly  denies  or  disproves  in  43,  from  the  fact  that  they 
spoke  the  Pannonian  language,  and  paid  tribute.  The  doubt  ex- 
pressed here  has  reference  only  to  their  original  location,  not  to  their 
original  stock,  and  is  therefore  in  no  way  inconsistent  with  the  affir- 
mation in  chapter  43. 

Cum  =  since.  Hence  followed  by  subj.  H.  518, 1. ;  A.  and  G.  326 ; 
Z.  577. 


GERMANIA.  135 

Utriusgue  ripac.  Here  of  the  Danube,  the  right  or  Pannonian 
bank  of  which  was  occupied  by  the  Aravisci,  and  the  left  or  Ger- 
man bank  by  the  Osi.  So  elsewhere  of  the  Rhine,  37,  and  of  both, 
1Y,  and  23. 

Treveri.  Hence  modern  Treves. — Nervii.  They  were  on  the  coast 
of  Nervia,  reaching  into  the  interior  as  far  as  modern  Luxemburg. 

Circa.  In  respect  to.  A  use  foreign  to  the  golden  age  of  Latin 
composition,  but  not  unfrequent  in  the  silver  age.  See  Ann.  11,  2. 
15.  His.  1,  43.  Cf.  Z.  298,  and  note,  H.  1,  13. 

Affectationem.  Eager  desire  to  pass  for  native  Germans.  Ad 
verbum,  cf.  note,  H.  1,  80. 

Ultro.  Eadically  the  same  with  ultra  =  beyond.  Properly  be- 
yond expectation,  beyond  necessity,  beyond  measure,  beyond  any 
thing  mentioned  in  the  foregoing  context.  Hence  unexpectedly, 
freely,  cheerfully,  very  much,  even  more.  Here  very,  quite.  Gr. 

Inertia  Gattorum.  T.,  says  Gun.,  is  an  everlasting  persecutor  of 
the  Gauls,  cf.  A.  11. 

Haud  dubie  =  baud  dubii.  It  limits  Gennanorum  populi.  Un- 
doubtedly German  tribes. 

Vangiones.  The  principal  towns  of  the  Vangiones,  Triboci,  and 
Nemetes  are  found  respectively  in  the  modern  Worms,  Strasburg, 
and  Speyer.  Sch.  S. 

Merucrint.  Not  merely  deserved,  but  earned,  attained.  For  the 
subj.  after  quanquam,  cf.  note,  35. 

Agrippinenses.  From  Agrippina,  daughter  of  Germanicua  and 
wife  of  Claudius.  Ann.  12,  27.  Now  Cologne. 

Conditoris.  Conditor  with  the  earlier  Latins  is  an  epicene,  con- 
ditrix  being  of  later  date.  Here  used  of  Agrippina.  Of  course  sui 
caanot  agree  with  conditoris.  It  is  a  reflexive  pronoun,  the  objective 
gen.  after  conditoris  =  the  founder  of  themselves,  i.  e.  of  their  state, 
cf.  odium  sui,  33. 

Experimento.  Abl.  on  trial,  not  for  ;  i.  e.  in  consequence  of  be- 
ing found  faithful.  In  reference  to  the  Ubii,  cf.  His.  4,  28. 

XXIX.     Virtute,  sc.  bellica. 

Non  rnultum  ex  ripa.  A  small  tract  on  the  bank,  but  chiefly  an 
island  in  the  river.  Cf.  His.  4,  12:  extrema  Gallicae  orae,  simulque 
insulam,  occupavere. 

Chaltorum  quondam.  The  very  name  Batavi  is  thought  by  some 
to  be  a  corrupted  or  modified  form  of  Chatti.  See  Kit.  in  loc. 


136  NOTES. 

Tramgressus.  When  is  not  known,  but  Julius  Caesar  found 
them  already  in  possession  of  their  new  territory.  B.  G.  4,  10. 

Fierent.  Subj.  after  eas-quibus  =  such  that.  H.  500,  2 ;  A.  and 
G.  320 ;  Z.  656. 

Nec-contemnuntur.  Are  neither  dishonored.  So  in  His.  4,  17, 
the  Batavians  are  called  tributorum  cxpertcs. 

Publican-us.     The  Roman  tax-collector. 

Oneribus.  The  burdens  of  regular  taxation. — Collationibus. 
Extraordinary  contributions. 

Mattiacorum.     They  occupied  the  region  of  modern  Wiesbaden. 

Tela,  offensive ;  arma,  defensive  armor. 

In  sua  ripa.  On  the  right  or  eastern  bank  of  the  Rhine.  Agunt 
is  to  be  taken  with  in  sua  ripa,  as  well  as  with  nobiscum,  which  are 
antithetic  to  each  other.  Meaning :  in  situation  Germans,  in  feeling 
Romans. 

Mente  animoque.  In  mind  and  spirit.  Mens  is  properly  the 
understanding,  animus  the  feeling  part,  and  both  together  compre- 
hend the  whole  soul. 

Acrius  animantur.  Made  more  courageous  by  the  influence  of 
their  very  soil  and  climate  even  (adhuc,  cf.  note,  19). 

Numcraverim.     Subj.  cf.  note,  2  :  crediderim. 

Decumates-cxercent.  Exercent  =  colunt.  So  Virg.  tellurem,  ter- 
rain, humum,  solum,  etc.,  exercere. 

Decumates  =  decumanos.  Occurs  only  here.  Tithe-paying  lands. 
For  their  location,  see  note,  27. 

Dubiae  possessionis,  i.  e.  insecure,  till  confirmed  by  Ihnite  acto 
promotisque  praesidiis,  i.  e.  extending  the  boundary  and  advancing  the 
garrisons  or  outposts.  Remains  of  the  old  Roman  lines  of  fortifica- 
tion still  exist,  extending  from  the  upper  waters  of  the  Danube  to 
the  Rhine.  They  were  to  a  great  extent  the  work  of  Trajan. 

Sinus.  Extreme  bend  or  border.  Cf.  note,  1.  So  Virg.  (Geor.  2, 
123)  calls  India  extremi  sinus  orbis. 

Provinciae.     A  province,  not  any  particular  one. 

XXX.  Initium  inchoant.  Pleonastic.  So  initio  orto,  His.  1, 
76 ;  initium  coeptum,  His.  2,  79 ;  perferre  toleraverit,  Ann.  3,  3. 
Ultra  is  farther  back  from  the  Rhine.  Chattorum  sedes  ubi  nunc 
magnus  ducatus  et  principatus  Hassorum,  quorum  nomen  a  Chattis 
deductum.  Ritter.  ChaWi  =  Hessians,  as  Germ,  wasser  =  Eng. 
water,  and  irpewnrco  —  irpdrrw. 


GERMANIA.  137 

Effusis.  Loco,  cffusa  sunt,  quae  latis  campis  patent.  K.  This 
use  belongs  to  the  later  Latin,  though  Horace  applies  the  word  with 
late  to  the  sea :  effusi  late  maris.  Gr. 

Durant  siquidem,  etc.  On  the  whole,  I  am  constrained  to  yield 
to  the  authority  and  the  arguments  of  Wr.,  Or.,  Do'd.,  and  Hit.,  and 
place  the  pause  before  durant,  instead  of  after  it  as  in  the  first  edi- 
tion. Durant  precedes  siquidem  for  the  sake  of  emphasis,  just  as 
quin  immo  (chap.  14)  and  quin  etiam  (13)  yield  their  usual  place  to 
the  emphatic  word.  These  are  all  departures  from  established 
usage.  See  notes  in  loc.  cit.  Que  must  be  understood  after  paula- 
tim :  it  is  inserted  in  the  text  by  Ritter. 

Rarescunt.  Become  fewer  and  farther  apart.  So  Virg.  Aen.  3, 
411 :  Angusti  rarcscent  claustra  Pelori. 

Cfuttlos  suos.  As  if  the  Chatti  were  the  children  of  the  Forest, 
and  the  Forest  emphatically  their  country.  Passow. 

Prosequitur,  deponit.  Begins,  continues,  and  ends  with  the 
Chatti.  Poetical  =  is  coextensive  with. 

Duriora,  sc.  solito,  or  his,  cf. — Stricii,  sinewy,  strong,  which  has 
the  same  root  as  stringo. 

Ut  inter  Germanos,  i.  e.  pro  ingenio  Germanorum,  Gun.  So  we 
say  elliptically  :  for  Germans. 

Praeponcre,  etc.  A  series  of  infinitives  without  connectives,  de- 
noting a  hasty  enumeration  of  particulars ;  elsewhere,  sometimes,  a 
rapid  succession  of  events.  Cf.  notes,  A.  36,  and  H.  1,  36.  The 
particulars  here  enumerated  all  refer  to  military  proceedings. 

Disponere-noctem.  They  distribute  the  day,  sc.  as  the  period  of 
various  labors ;  they  fortify  the  night,  sc.  as  the  scene  of  danger. 
Still  highly  poetical. 

Ratione.      Way,  manner,    Al.  Romanae. 

Ferramentis.  Iron  tools,  axes,  mattocks,  etc. — Copiis.   Provisions 

Rari.  Predicate  ofpugna,  as  well  as  excursus. —  Velodtas  applies 
to  cavalry,  cunctatio  to  infantry ;  juxta  —  connected  with,  allied  to, 
cf.  juxta  libertatem,  21. 

XXXI.  Aliis-popuhs.  Dat.  after  usurpatum,  which  with  its  ad- 
juncts is  the  subject  ofverlit.  See  same  construction,  His.  1,  18: 
observatum  id  antiquitus  comitiis  dirimendis  non  terruit  Galbam, 
etc.,  cf.  also  A.  1. — Audentia  occurs  only  thrice  in  T.  (G.  31,  34 ; 
Ann.  15,  53),  and  once  in  Pliny  (Ep.  8,  4).  It  differs  from  audacia 
in  being  a  virtue. 


138  NOTES. 

Vtrtit.  Intrans.  Not  so  found  in  Cic.,  but  in  Liv.,  Cacs.,  and 
Sail.,  not  unfrequent.  Gr.  Cic.  however  uses  anno  vertenle. 

In  consensum  vertit.     Has  become  the  common  custom. 

Ut  primum.  Just  as  soon  as.  A  causal  relation  is  also  implied  ; 
hence  followed  by  the  subj. 

Crinem-submUlere.  We  find  this  custom  (of  letting  the  hair  and 
beard  grow  long)  later  among  the  Lombards  and  the  Saxons,  cf. 
Turn.  His.  Ang.  Sax.,  App.  to  B.  2. 

Super-spolia,  i.  e.  over  the  bloody  spoils  of  a  slain  enemy. 

Revelant,  i.  e.  they  remove  the  hair  and  beard,  which  have  so 
long  veiled  the  face. 

Retulisse  —  repaid,  discharged  their  obligations  to  those  who  gave 
them  birth. 

Squalor.  This  word  primarily  denotes  roughness;  secondarily 
and  usually  filth :  here  the  deformity  of  unshorn  hair  and  beard. 

Insuper,  i.  e.  besides  the  long  hair  and  beard.  The  proper  posi- 
tion of  insuper  is,  as  here,  between  the  adj.  and  subs.,  cf.  34 :  im- 
mensos  insuper  lacus ;  see  also  insuper,  12. 

Absolvat.     Subj.  after  donee.    So  facial  below.     See  note,  1. 

Hic-habitus,  sc.  ferreum  annulnm,  cf.  17.  Plurimis  =  permultis, 
Kit. 

Placet.  Antithetic  to  ignominiosum  genti.  Very  many  of  the 
Chatti  are  pleased  with  that  which  is  esteemed  a  disgrace  by  most 
Germans,  and  so  pleased  with  it  as  to  retain  it  to  old  age,  and  wear 
it  as  a  badge  of  distinction  (canent  insignes). 

Nova.  Al.  torva.  Strange,  unusual.  Placed  in  the  van  (prima 
acies),  because,  as  the  author  says,  §  43 :  primi  in  omnibus  proeliis 
oculi  vincuntur. 

Mansuescunt.  Primarily  said  of  wild  beasts,  accustomed  to  the 
hand  of  man  or  tamed.  So  immanis,  not  handled,  wild,  savage. 
The  clause  introduced  by  nam  illustrates  or  enforces  visu  nova,  and 
may  be  rendered  thus :  for  not  even  in  time  of  peace  do  they  grow 
gentle  and  put  on  a  milder  aspect. 

Exsanguis.     Usually  lifeless  or  pale.     Here  languid,  feeble. 

XXXII.  Alveo  =  quoad  alveum.  Abl.  of  respect,  H.  429 ;  A. 
and  G.  253  ;  Z.  467. 

Cerium.  Fixed,  well  defined,  i.  e.  not  divided  and  diffused  (so  as 
to  form  of  itself  no  sufficient  border  or  boundary  to  the  Roman  Em- 
pire) as  it  was  nearer  its  source  among  the  Chatti.  So  this  disputed 


GERMANIA.  139 

word  seems  to  be  explained  by  the  author  himself  in  the  following 
clause :  quique  terminus  esse  siifficiat  •=.  and  such  that  it  suffices  to  be 
a  boundary.  Qui  =  tolls  ut ;  hence  followed  by  the  subj.  H.  600 ; 
A.  and  G.  320 ;  Z.  558.  So  Mela  (3,  2)  contrasts  solidus  et  certo  alveo 
lapsus  with  hue  et  illuc  dispergitur. 

Tenderis  =  apud  Tencteros,  by  enallage,  cf.  note  on  ad  patron, 
20,  and  other  references  there.  The  Tencteri  and  Usipii  seem  to 
have  been  at  length  absorbed  into  the  mass  of  people,  who  appear 
under  the  later  name  of  Alemanni.  Cf.  Prichard.  They  were  origi- 
nally just  north  of  the  river  Lippe,  but  in  time  of  Tacitus  were 
south  of  it. 

f'amiliam.  Servants,  cf.  note  on  same  word,  15.  See  also  Beck. 
Gall.  Exc.  1.  Sc.  1. — Penates  =  our  homestead. 

Jura  successionum  =  heirlooms,  all  that  goes  down  by  hereditary 
'descent. 

Excipit.  Here  in  the  unusual  sense  of  inherits. — Cetera,  sc.  jura 
successionum. 

JBeUo.  Abl.  and  limits  both  feroz  and  melior.  Meaning :  The 
horses  are  inherited,  not,  like  the  rest  of  the  estate,  by  the  eldest  son, 
but  by  the  bravest. 

XXXIII.  Occurrebant.  Met  the  view,  presented  themselves.  Al- 
most the  sense  of  the  corresponding  English  word.  The  structure 
of  narratur  (as  impers.)  is  very  rare  in  the  earlier  authors,  who 
would  say  :  Chamavi  narrantur.  Cf.  His.  1,  50,  90.  The  Chamavi, 
etc.,  were  joined  afterwards  to  the  Franks.  Cf.  Prichard.  The 
present  town  of  Ham  in  Westphalia  probably  preserves  the  name 
and  gives  the  original  locality  of  the  Chamavi,  the  present  Engern 
that  of  the  Angrivarii.  The  termination  varii  or  uarii  probably  = 
inhabitants  of.  Thus  Angrivarii  =  inhabitants  of  Engern.  Chasuarii 
=  inhabitants  of  the  river  Hase.  The  same  element  is  perhaps  con- 
tained in  the  termination  of  Bructeri  and  Tencteri.  See  Latham  in  loco. 

Nos,  sc.  Romanes.     Erga  =  inclined  to  (cf.  vergo),  towards. 

Spectaculo.  Ablative.  Invidere  is  constructed  by  the  Latins  in  the 
following  ways:  invidere  alicui  aliquid,  alicui  alicujus  rei,  alicui 
aliqua  re,  alicui  in  aliqua  re.  Hess.  The  construction  here  (with 
the  abl.  of  the  thing  which  was  the  object  of  envy)  belongs  to  the 
silver  age.  Cf.  Quint.  (Inst.  9,  3,  1),  who  contrasts  it  with  the  usage 
of  Cicero,  and  considers  it  as  illustrating  the  fondness  of  the  age  for 
figurative  language.  _, 


140  NOTES. 

Obledationi  oculisque.  Hendiadys  for  ad  oblectationem  ocnlo- 
rum.  The  author  here  exults  in  the  promiscuous  slaughter  of  the 
German  Tribes  by  each  other's  arms,  as  a  brilliant  spectacle  to 
Roman  eyes — a  feeling  little  congenial  to  the  spirit  of  Christianity, 
but  necessarily  nurtured  by  the  gladiatorial  shows  and  bloody 
amusements  of  the  Romans,  to  say  nothing  of  the  habitual  hostility 
which  they  waged  against  all  other  nations  that  did  not  submit  to 
their  dominion. 

Quaeso,  sc.  dcos.  Though  fortune  is  spoken  of  below,  as  c6h- 
trolling  the  destiny  of  nations.  This  passage  shows  clearly  that 
Tacitus,  with  all  his  partiality  for  German  manners  and  morals,  still 
retains  the  heart  of  a  Roman  patriot.  He  loves  his  country  with  all 
her  faults,  and  bears  no  good-will  to  her  enemies,  however  many  and 
great  their  virtues.  The  passage  is  important,  as  illustrating  the 
spirit  and  design  of  the  whole  Treatise.  The  work  was  not  written 
as  a  blind  panegyric  on  the  Germans,  or  a  spleeny  satire  on  the 
Romans.  Neither  was  it  composed  for  the  purpose  of  stirring  up 
Trajan  to  war  against  Germany ;  to  such  a  purpose,  such  a  clause 
as  urgenlibus  imperil  fatis  were  quite  adverse.  Least  of  all  was  it 
written  for  the  mere  pastime  and  amusement  of  Roman  readers.  It 
breathes  the  spirit  at  once  of  the  earnest  patriot  and  the  high-toned 
moralist. 

Odium  sui.  Cf.  note,  28 :  conditor.  Hatred  of  themselves  ;  i.  e. 
of  one  another.  So,  in  Greek,  the  reflexive  pronoun  is  often  used 
for  the  reciprocal. 

Quando  =  since,  a  subjective  reason.  Cf.  note,  His.  1,  31 ;  and 
Z.  346. —  Uraentibus-fatis,  sc.  to  discord  and  dissolution,  for  such 
were  the  forebodings  of  patriotic  and  sagacious  minds  ever  after  the 
overthrow  of  the  Republic,  even  under  the  prosperous  reign  of 
Trajan. 

XXXIV.  A  terffo,  i.  e.  further  back  from  the  Rhine,  or  towards 
the  East. — A  fronte,  nearer  the  Rhine  or  towards  the  West.  Both 
are  to  be  referred  to  the  Angrivarii  and  Chamavi,  who  had  the 
Dulgubnii  and  the  Chasuarii  in  their  rear  (on  the  east),  and  the 
Frisii  on  their  front  (towards  the  west  or  northwest),  frisii,  the 
Frieslanders. 

Majoribus-virium.  They  have  the  name  of  Greater  or  Less 
Frisii,  according  to  the  measure  of  their  strength.  For  this  sense 
of  ex  see  note  7.  For  the  case  of  majoribus  niinoribusque  see  Z. 


GEKMANIA.  141 

421 ;  H.  38V,  1 ;  A.  and  G.  231,  b. — Perinde,  equally,  to  the  same 
extent. 

Praetexuntur.  Arc  bordered  by  the  Rhine  (hemmed,  as  the  toga 
practexta  by  the  purple)  ;  or,  as  Freund  explains,  are  covered  by  it, 
i.  e.  lie  behind  it. — Immensos  lacus.  The  bays,  or  arms  of  the  sea, 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Rhine  (Zuyder  Zee,  etc.),  taken  for  lakes  by  T. 
and  Pliny  (Ann.  1,  60.  2,  8.  N.  H.  4,  29).  They  have  been  greatly 
changed  by  inundations.  See  Mur.  in  loco. 

Oceanum,  sc.  Septentrionalem. — Sua,  sc.  parte. — Tentavimus,  ex- 
plored. 

Herculis  columnas.  "  Wherever  the  land  terminated,  and  it  ap- 
peared impossible  to  proceed  further,  ancient  maritime  nations 
feigned  pillars  of  Hercules.  Those  mentioned  in  this  passage  some 
authors  have  placed  at  the  extremity  of  Friesland,  and  others  at  the 
entrance  of  the  Baltic."  Ky.,  cf.  note,  3.  The  way  in  which  it  is 
stated  (fama  vulgavif)  suggests  that  it  is  a  mere  sailor's  story,  and 
may  have  alluded  only  to  the  peculiarity  of  the  cliffs. 

Adiit,  i.  e.  vere  adiit,  actually  visited  that  part  of  the  world. 

Quicquid-consensimus.  This  passage  is  a  standard  illustration 
of  the  Romano,  interpretatione  (§  43),  the  Roman  construction,  which 
the  Romans  put  upon  the  mythology  and  theology  of  other  nations. 
It  shows  that  they  were  accustomed  to  apply  the  names  of  their 
gods  to  the  gods  of  other  nations  on  the  ground  of  some  resem- 
blance in  character,  history,  worship,  etc.  Sometimes  perhaps  a  re- 
semblance in  the  names  constituted  the  ground  of  identifica- 
tion. 

Druso  Germanico.  Some  read  Druso  et  Germanico ;  others 
Druso,  Germauico,  as  a  case  of  asyndeton  (Gr.  323,  1  (1.)) ;  for 
both  Drusus  and  Germanicus  sailed  into  the  Northern  Ocean,  and 
it  is  not  known  that  Germanicus  (the  son  of  Drusus  and  stepson  of 
Tiberius,  who  is  by  some  supposed  to  be  meant  here)  is  ever  called 
Drusus  Germanicus.  But  Drusus,  the  father  of  Germanicus,  is 
called  Drusus  Germanicus  in  the  Histories  (5,  19),  where  he  is 
spoken  of  as  having  thrown  a  mole  or  dam  across  the  Rhine ;  and 
it  is  not  improbable  that  he  is  the  person  here  intended.  So  K., 
Or.,  and  Wr. 

Se,  i.  e.  the  Ocean.     See  H.  449 ;  A.  and  G.  196  ;  Z.  604. 

Inquiri.  Impersonal  —  investigation  to  be  made.  E.  suggests 
inquirenti,  agreeing  witli  Germanico.  But  T.,  unlike  the  earlier 


142  NOTES. 

Latin  authors,  not  unfrequently  places  an  infin.  after  a  verb  of  hin- 
dering. 

Credere  guam  scire.  T.  perhaps  alluded  to  the  precept  of  the 
philosopher,  who  said :  Deum  cole,  atque  crede,  sed  noli  quaerere. 
Murphy. 

XXXV.  In  Septentrionem,  etc.     On  the  North,  it  falls  back,  sc. 
into  the  Ocean,  with  an  immense  bend  or  peninsula,     tbejlexus  here 
spoken  of  is  called  sinus  in  chap.  37,  and  describes  the  Cimbric 
Chersonesus,  or  Danish  Peninsula.     See  Dod.,  Or.  and  Rit.  in  loc. — 
Ac  primo  statim.     And  first  immediately,  sc.  as  we  begin  to  trace 
the  northern  coast.     The  important  tribe  of  the  Chauci  (perhaps 
the  same  root  as  hohe,  high)  occupied  a  territory  stretching  from 
the  river  Ems  to  the  Elbe.     They  are  represented  as  divided  into 
the  majores  and  minores  separated  by  the  Weser. — Lateribus,  sc.  the 
eastern. 

Quanquam  followed  by  the  subj.,  seldom  in  Cic.,  but  usually  in 
T.,  Z.  574,  Note.  Cf.  note,  His.  6,  21. — Sinuetur,  sc.  southwards. 
Donee  sinuetur.  Cf.  note,  1 :  erumpat. 

Inter  Germanos.  Considered  among  the  Germans,  in  the  estima- 
tion of  the  Germans. 

Quique-tucri.  A  clause  connected  to  an  adj.  (nobilissimus),  cf. 
certum,  quique,  32.  Qui  in  both  passage  =  tails,  ut.  Hence  fol- 
lowed by  subj.  H.  501, 1. ;  Z.  558. 

Impotentia,  ungoverned  passion,  aKpdreia.  Impotentia  seldom 
denotes  want  of  power,  but  usually  that  unrestrained  passion,  which 
results  from  the  want  of  ability  to  control  one's  self. 

Ut-agant  depends  on  assequuntur.  Subj.  H.  490;  A.  and  G. 
318,  a  ;  Z.  531,  a. 

Si  res  poscat.  Some  copies  read  :  si  res  poscat  exercitus.  But 
posco  and  postulo  seldom  have  the  object  expressed  in  such  clauses, 
cf.  44 :  ut  res  poscit ;  6 :  prout  ratio  poscit.  So  also  Cic.  and  Sail., 
pass.  Exercitus  is  subject  nom.,  promptus  being  understood,  as 
pred. ;  and  plurimum  virorum  equorumque  explains  or  rather  en- 
forces exercitus:  and,  if  the  case  demand,  an  army,  the  greatest  abun- 
dance of  men  and  horses. 

Quiescentibus,  i.  e.  bellum  non  gerentibus ;  eadem,  \.  e.  the  same, 
as  if  engaged  in  war. 

XXXVI.  Cherusci.     It  was  their  chief,  Arminius  (Germ.  Her- 
mann), who,  making  head  against  the  Romans,  was  honored  as  the 


GERMANIA.  143 

Deliverer  of  Germany,  and  celebrated  in  ballad  songs,  which  are 
preserved  to  this  day.  See  his  achievements  in  Ann.  B.  1,  and  2. 

Marcentem.  Enervating.  So  marcentia  pocula.  Stat.  Silv.  4, 
6,  56.  It  is  usually  intransitive,  and  is  taken  here  by  some  in  the 
sense  of  languid,  enervate  (literally  withered). — Ittacessiti  is  a  post- 
Augustan  word.  Cf.  Freund.  The  tribe  seems  to  have  been  weak- 
ened quite  as  much  by  civil  dissension  as  by  inactivity. 

Impotentes.     Cf.  impotentia,  35. 

Faho  quiescas.  Falleris,  dum  quiescis.  Dilthey.  Cf.  note,  14 : 
possis. 

Ubi  manu  agitur.  Where  matters  are  decided  by  might  rather 
than  right.  Cf.  manu  agens,  A.  9. 

Nomina  super ioris.  Virtues  (only)  of  the  stronger  party,  the 
conqueror.  They  are  deemed  vices  in  the  weaker. 

Chattis-cessit :  while  to  the  Chatti,  who  were  victorious,  success 
was  imputed  for  wisdom.  The  antithetic  particle  at  the  beginning 
of  the  clause  is  omitted.  Cf.  note,  4 :  minime. 

Fuissent.  Subj.  after  cum  signifying  although.  II.  516,  II. ;  A. 
and  G.  326. 

XXXVII.  Sinum.  Peninsula,  sc.  the  "Cimbric.  Cf.  note,  35 : 
flcxu  ;  81 :  sinus. 

Cimbri.  This  tribe,  in  the  second  century  before  Christ,  was 
driven,  as  they  said,  by  a  flood,  from  their  northern  home,  and 
brought  upon  the  Romans  some  of  the  most  desperate  conflicts  in 
which  they  were  ever  engaged.  They  were  finally  destroyed  after 
years  of  terror  by  the  power  of  Marius. 

Gloria  is  abl.  limiting  ingens. 

Castra  ac  spatia.  In  apposition  with  lata  vestigia  =  spatiosa 
castra  or  castrorum  spatia.  H.  704,  II.  2 ;  Z.  741. 

Utraque  ripa,  sc.  of  the  Rhine,  Hie  river  and  river  bank  by  emi- 
nence. 

Molem  manusquc.  The  mass  of  their  population,  and  the  num- 
ber of  their  armies.  Observe  the  alliteration,  as  if  he  had  said : 
measure  the  mass  and  might. 

Exilus,  \.  e.  migrationis.  Often  used  in  this  sense,  cf.  Caes.  B. 
G.  3,  69 :  Salutem  et  exitum  sibi  paricbant. — Fidcm,  proof. 

Scxccntesimum-annum.  T.  follows  the  Catonian  Era,  or  simply 
intends  to  give  the  round  number.  According  to  the  Varronian  Era, 
received  by  the  moderns,  the  date  would  be  A.  U.  C.  641  =  A.  C.  113. 


144  NOTES. 

Alterum-consulatum.  The  second  consulship  of  Trajan  (when 
he  was  also  Emperor)  was,  after  the  reckoning  of  Tacitus,  A.  U.  C. 
850,  according  to  modern  computation,  851  =  A.  D.  98.  This  year 
doubtless  marks  the  tune  when  this  treatise  was  written,  else  why 
selected  ? 

Vindtur.  So  long  is  Germany  in  being  conquered.  (The  work 
was  never  completed.)  Cf.  Liv.  9,  3 :  quern  per  annos  jam  prope 
triffinta  vincimus. 

Medio-spatio.     In  the  intervening  period,  sc.  of  210  years. 

Samnis-Galliaeve.  The  Romans  had  fought  bloody  and  some- 
times disastrous  battles  with  the  Samnites  (at  the  Caudine  Forks, 
Liv.  9,  2),  with  the  Carthaginians  (in  the  several  Punic  Wars),  with 
the  Spaniards  under  Viriathus  and  Sertorius  (Florus,  Lib.  2),  with 
the  Gauls  (Caes.  B.  G.  pass.).  But  none  of  these  were  so  sanguinary 
as  their  wars  with  the  Germans. 

Admonuere,  sc.  vulneribus,  cladibus  =  castigavere. 

Rcgno-libertas.  Liberty  and  monarchy  in  studied  antithesis.  T. 
means  to  imply  that  the  former  is  the  stronger  principle  of  the 
two. 

Arsads.  The  family  name  of  the  Parthian  kings,  as  Pharaoh  and 
Ptolemy  of  the  Egyptian,  Antiochus  of  the  Syrian,  etc. 

Amisso  ct  ipse,  sc.  oriens ;  the  East  itself  also  lost  its  prince 
(Pacorus)  in  the  engagement,  as  well  as  the  Romans  their  leader 
(Crassus). — Objecerit,  reproach  us  with.  Subj.  Cf.  n.  G.  2  :  petcrct. 

Ventidium.  Commander  under  Antony,  and  conqueror  of  the 
Parthians  in  three  battles,  A.  U.  C.  715.  He  was  raised  from  the 
lowest  rank  and  the  meanest  employment,  hence  perhaps  the  ex- 
pression, dejectus  infra,  humbled  beneath  Ventidius. 

Carbone-Manlio.  Cneius  Papirius  Carbo  defeated  at  Noreja,  A. 
U.  641  (Liv.  Epit.  63),  L.  Cassius  Longinus  defeated  and  slain,  647 
(Caes.  B.  G.  1,  7,  12),  M.  Aurelius  Scaurus  defeated  and  taken  cap- 
tive, 648  (Liv.  Epit.  67),  Servilius  Caepio  and  M.  Manlius  defeated 
with  great  slaughter  at  Tolosa,  649  (Liv.  Epit.  67),  Quintilius  Varus 
defeated  and  slain,  762  (Suet.  Oct.  23) — all  these  victories  over  the 
Romans  in  their  highest  strength  and  glory — either  in  the  time  of 
the  Republic  (Populo  Romano\  or  of  the  Empire  under  Augustus 
(  Caesari) — all  these  attested  the  courage  and  military  prowess  of  the 
Germans ;  and  they  were  still,  for  the  most  part,  as  free  and  as  pow- 
erful as  ever. 


GERMANIA.  145 

Caius  Mdrius  almost  annihilated  the  Cimbri  at  Aquae  Sextiae, 
A.  U.  C.  652. 

Drusus.  Claudius  Drusus  invaded  Germany  four  times,  742-3, 
and  finally  lost  his  life  by  falling  from  his  horse  on  his  return.  Cf. 
Dio.  Libb.  64,  55. 

Nero,  commonly  known  as  Tiberius  (brother  of  Drusus  and  step- 
son of  Augustus),  had  the  command  in  Germany  at  three  different 
times,  746-7,  756-9,  764-5,  cf.  Suet.  Tib.  9  seq. 

Germanicus,  son  of  Drusus,  made  four  campaigns  in  Germany,  A. 
D.  14-16,  cf.  Ann.  B.  1  and  2. 

C.    Caesaris.     Caligula,  cf.  Suet.  Calig. ;  T.  His.  4,  15. 

Discordiac-armorum.  The  civil  wars  after  the  death  of  Nero 
under  Galba,  Otho,  and  Vitellius. 

Expugnatis-hibernis.  By  the  Batavians  under  Civilis.  His.  4, 
12  seq. ;  A.  41. 

Affectaverc.  Aspired  to  the  government  of,  cf.  note  on  affecta- 
tionem,  28.  After  donee,  T.  always  expresses  a  single  definite  past 
action  by  the  perf.  ind.,  cf.  A.  36:  donec-cohortatus  eat ;  a  repeated, 
or  continued  past  action  by  the  imp.  subj^  cf.  note,  A.  19 :  donec- 
Jkret ;  and  a  present  action,  which  is  in  the  nature  of  the  case  also 
a  continued  action,  by  the  pros,  subj.,  c£  note,  1 :  separet. 

Triumphati.  Poetice,  cf.  Virg.  Aen.  6,  837:  Triumphata  Co- 
rintho  ;  Hor.  Od.  3,  3,  43 :  Triumphati  Medi.  The  reference  here  is 
to  the  ridiculous  triumph  of  Domitian,  A.  39,  in  which  slaves,  pur- 
chased and  dressed  out  for  the  purpose,  were  borne  as  captives 
through  the  streets. 

XXXVIII.  Suevis.  In  the  time  of  T.  a  powerful  confederacy, 
embracing  all  the  tribes  enumerated  in  39-45,  and  covering  all  the 
eastern  and  larger  half  of  Germany.  But  the  confederacy  was  soon 
dissolved  and  seldom  appears  in  subsequent  history.  We  still  have 
a  trace  of  their  name  in  the  modern  Suabia.  The  name  is  supposed 
by  some  philologists  (e.  g.  Zeuss)  to  denote  unsettled  wanderers 
(Germ.  Schweben,  to  wave,  to  hover,  cf.  Caes.  B.  G.  4,  1 :  Suevis 
non  longius  anno  remanere  uno  in  loco,  etc.),  as  that  of  the  Sax- 
ons does  settlers,  or  fixed  residents  (Germ.  Sassen),  and  that  of  the 
Franks,  freemen.  See  Rup.  in  loc.  An  ingenious  Article  in  the 
North  American  Review  (July,  1847)  makes  the  distinction  of  Suevi 
and  non-Suevi  radical  and  permanent  in  the  religion  and  the  lan- 
guage of  the  Germans;  the  Suevi  becoming  Orthodox  Catholics  and 


146  NOTES. 

the  non-Suevi  Arians  in  Ecclesiastical  History,  and  the  one  High- 
Dutch  and  the  other  Low-Dutch  in  the  development  of  their 
language. 

Adhuc.  Cf.  note  on  it,  19.  As  to  position,  cf.  insuper,  31  and 
34.  The  Suevi  are  still  (adhuc)  divided  into  distinct  tribes  bearing 
distinct  names,  though  united  in  a  confederacy.  Cf.  Hand's  Tursel- 
linus,  1,  163.  Dod.  renders  besides,  sc.  the  general  designation  of 
Suevi. 

In,  commune.  In  common.  Not  used  in  this  sense  by  Cic.,  Caes., 
and  Liv.,  though  frequent  in  T.  Gr.  Cf.  note  on  the  same,  27. 

Obliquare.  To  turn  the  hair  back,  or  comb  it  up  contrary  to  its 
natural  direction — and  then  fasten  it  in  a  knot  on  the  top  of  the  head 
(substringere  nodo) ;  so  it  seems  to  be  explained  by  the  author  him- 
self below :  horrentem  capittum  retro  sequuntur  ac  in  ipso  tola  vertice 
religant.  Others  translate  obliquare  by  twist.  Many  ancient  writers 
speak  of  this  manner  of  tying  the  hair  among  the  Germans,  cf.  Sen. 
de  Ira.  3,  26 ;  Juv.  13,  164. 

A  servis  scparantur.  Separantur  =  distinguuntur.  Servants 
among  the  Suevi  seem  to  have  had  their  hair  shorn.  So  also  it  was 
among  the  Franks  at  a  later  date.  Vid.  Greg.  Tur.  3,  8. 

Rarum  el  intra,  etc.     Enallage,  cf.  note  cerium  guique,  32. 

Retro  sequuntur,  i.  e.  follow  it  back,  as  it  were,  in  its  growth,  and 
tie  it  up  on  the  very  crown  of  the  head  only,  instead  of  letting  it  hang 
down,  as  it  grows  (submittere  crinem).  So  K.,  Or.,  and  many  others. 
Passow  and  Dod.  take  sequuntur  in  the  sense  of  desire,  delight  in 
(our  word  seek).  The  word  bears  that  sense,  e.  g.  6 :  argentum 
magis  quam  aurum  sequuntur.  But  then  what  is  retro  sequuntur  ? 
for  retro  must  be  an  adjunct  of  sequuntur  both  from  position,  and 
because  there  is  no  other  word  which  it  can  limit.  Saepe  implies, 
that  sometimes  they  made  a  knot  elsewhere,  but  often  they  fasten  it 
there,  and  there  only.  See  Or.  in  loc.  This  whole  passage  illus- 
trates our  author's  disposition  to  avoid  technical  language.  Cf.  note, 
H.  2,  21. 

Innoxiae.  Harmless,  unlike  the  beauty  cultivated  among  the 
Romans  to  dazzle  and  seduce. 

In  altitudincm,  etc.  For  the  sake  of  (increased)  height  and  terror, 
i.  e.  to  appear  tall  and  inspire  terror.  Cf.  note,  A.  6 :  in  jactationem  ; 
A.  7 :  in  suam  famam.  The  antithetic  particle  is  omitted  before 
this  clause  as  it  often  is  by  our  author. 


GERMANIA.  147 

Ut  hostium  oculis,  to  strike  with  terror  the  eyes  of  the  enemy,  for 
primi  in  omnibus  proeliis  ojvli  vincuntur,  43. 

XXXIX.  Vetustissimos.  Oldest.  Vetus  is  old,  of  long  duration 
(eros,  aetas) ;  antiqmis,  ancient,  belonging  to  a  preceding  age  (ante). 
Jtecens  (fresh,  young)  is  opposed  to  the  former :  novus  (new,  modern), 
to  the  latter.  See  Ramshorn  and  Freund. 

Semnones,  as  also  the  tribes  mentioned  in  the  next  chapter,  with 
the  exception  of  the  Longobardi,  are  to  be  located  between  the  Elbe 
and  the  Oder. 

Fides  antiquitatis.  Antiquitatis  is  objective  gen.  =  the  belief,  or 
persuasion  of  their  antiquity. 

Auguriis-sacram.  The  commentators  all  notice  the  hexameter 
structure  of  these  words,  and  many  regard  them  as  a  quotation  from 
some  Latin  poet.  The  words  themselves  are  also  poetical,  e.  g.  pat- 
rum  for  majorum,  and  formidine  for  religione.  The  coloring  is 
Virgilian.  Cf.  Aen.  7,  172 ;  8,  598.  See  Or.  in  loc.  and  Preliminary 
Remarks  to  the  Histories,  p.  234.  - 

Legationibut  coeunt.  Just  as  we  say :  convene  by  their  delegates, 
or  representatives. 

Publice  =  publica  auctoritate,  cf.  same  word,  10. 

Primordia.     Initiatory  rites. 

Minor,  sc.  numine.     Inferior  to  the  god. 

Prae  se  ferens.  Expressing  in  his  external  appearance,  or 
bearing  in  his  own  person  an  acknowledgment  of  the  power  of  the 
divinity. 

Evolvuntur  =  se  evolvunt,  cf.  Ann.  1,  13:  cum  Tiberii  genua 
advolvereiur ;  also  lavantur,  22. 

Eo-tanqnam.  Has  reference  to  this  point,  as  if,  5.  e.  to  this 
opinion,  viz.  that  thence,  etc.  Cf.  illuc  respicit  tanquam,  12. — Inde. 
From  the  grove,  or  the  god  of  the  grove.  Cf.  2 :  Tuistonem- 
originem  gentis. 

Adjicit  auctoritatem,  sc.  isti  superstition!. 

Afagno  corpore  =  reipublicae  magnitudine.  Corpore,  the  body 
politic.  So  His.  4,  64 :  redisse  vos  in  corpus  nomenque  Germano- 
rum. — Ilabitantur.  Al.  habitant  and  habitantium,  by  conjecture. 
The  subject  is  the  Semnonian  country  implied  in  Semnonum :  the 
Semnonians  inhabit  a  hundred  villages,  is  the  idea.  It  is  the  same 
statement  which  Caesar  makes  of  the  whole  body  of  the  Suevi. 

XL.      Langobardos.      The  Lombards  of  Mediaeval  history;   so 


148  NOTES. 

called  probably  from  their  long  beards  (Germ,  lang  and  bart).  First 
mentioned  by  Velleius,  2, 106 :  gens  etiam  Germana  feritate  ferocior. 
See  also  Ann.  2,  45,  46,  62-64.' — Paucitas  here  stands  opposed  to 
the  magno  corpore  of  the  Semnones  in  39. 

Per-periclitando.     Three  different  constructions,  cf.  notes  16, 18. 

Zeuss  identifies  the  Suardones  with  the  Heruli,  and  the  Nuithones 
with  the  Teutones.  Suardones  perhaps  =  sword-men.  Eudoces  per- 
haps •=  later  Jutes. 

Anglii.  The  English  reader  will  here  recognize  the  tribe  of 
Germans  that  subsequently  invaded,  peopled,  and  gave  name  to 
England  (=  Angl-land),  commonly  designated  as  the  Anglo-Saxons. 
T.  does  not  mention  the  Saxons.  They  are  mentioned  by  Ptolemy 
and  others,  as  originally  occupying  a  territory  in  this  same  part  of 
Germany.  They  became  at  length  so  powerful  as  to  give  their 
name  to  the  entire  confederacy  (including  the  Angles)  which  ruled 
northern  Germany,  as  the  Franks  (the  founders  of  the  French 
monarchy)  did  southern.  The  Angles  seem  to  have  dwelt  on  the 
right  bank  of  the  Elbe,  near  its  mouth,  in  the  time  of  T. 

Nerthum.  This  is  the  reading  of  the  MSS.  and  the  old  editions. 
It  cannot  be  doubted  that  T.  speaks  of  Hertha  (see  Turn.  His.  Ang. 
Sax.,  App.  to  B.  2,  chap.  3).  "  But  we  must  take  care  not  to  cor- 
rect our  author  himself."  Passow.  Grimm  identifies  this  deity 
with  Niordhr  of  the  Edda,  and  derives  the  name  from  Nord  (North). 
—  Terram  matrem.  The  Earth  is  worshipped  by  almost  all  heathen 
nations,  as  the  mother  of  men  and  the  inferior  gods.  See  Mur.  in 
loco.  Cf.  2 :  Tuistonem  Deum,  terra  editum  ;  also  note,  9 :  Isidi. 

Insula.  Scholars  differ  as  to  the  Island.  Probabilities  perhaps 
are  in  favor  of  Rugen,  where  the  secretus  lacus  mentioned  below  Is 
still  shown,  still  associated  with  superstitious  legends. 

Castum.     Polluted  by  nothing  profane.     So  Hor :  castis  lucis. 

Penetrali,  viz.  the  sacred  vehicle. 

Dignatur.     Deems  worthy  of  her  visits. 

Tcmplo,  sc.  the  sacred  grove.  Templum,  like  Ttpevos,  denotes 
any  place  set  apart  (from  re(jit>u)  for  sacred  purposes,  cf.  9. 

Numen  ipsum.  The  goddess  herself,  not  an  image  of  her ;  for  the 
Germans  have  no  images  of  their  gods,  9.  Abluitur,  as  if  contam- 
inated by  intercourse  with  mortals. 

Perituri,  etc.     Which  can  be  seen  only  on  penalty  of  death. 

XLL    Propior,  sc.  to  the  Romans. — Hermundurorum.     Ritter 


GERMANIA.  149 

identifies  the  name  (Ilcrmun  being  omitted,  and  dur  being  = 
thur)  and  the  people  with  the  jTAwringians.  Cf.  note,  2 :  In- 
gaevoncs. 

Non  in  ripa.  Not  only  (or  not  so  much)  on  the  border  (the  river- 
bank),  but  also  within  the  bounds  of  the  Roman  Empire. 

Splcndidissima-colonia.  This  flourishing  colony  had  no  distinc- 
tive name  in  the  age  of  T. ;  called  afterwards  Augusta  Vindelicorum, 
now  Augsburg. 

Passim.  Wherever  they  chose. — JSine  cutstode.  Not  so  others. 
Cf.  His.  4,  64 :  ut  inermes  ac  prope  nudi,  sub  custode  et  pretio 
coiremus. 

Cum-ostendamus.     Cum  =  while,  although.     Hence  the  subj. 

Non  concupiscentibus.  Since  they  were  not  covetous,  Gun.  Gr. 
renders :  though  they  were  not  equally  desirous  of  it. 

Nctum—auditur.  The  Elbe  had  been  seen  and  crossed  by  Drusus, 
Domitius,  and  Tiberius.  In  the  early  age  of  the  empire  it  seems  to 
have  been  the  hope  to  make  the  Elbe  instead  of  the  Rhine  the 
boundary  line.  But  now  it  was  known  only  by  hearsay.  See  a  like 
patriotic  complaint  at  the  close  of  37. 

XLII.  Marcomani  =  men  of  the  marches,  or  border-men.  Sch. 
S.,  and  Latham  in  loc. — Sedcs,  sc.  Bohemia. — Pulsis  olim  JBoiis, 
cf.  28. 

Degenerant,  sc.  a  reliquorum  virtute,  i.  e.  the  Varisti  and  Quadi 
are  not  unworthy,  do  not  fall  short  of  the  bravery  of  their  neighbors, 
the  Marcomani. 

Peragitur.  Al.  protegitur,  porrigitur,  etc.  Different  words  are 
supplied  as  the  subject  ofperagitur,  e.  g.  Passow  Her.  ;  Rit.  cursus  ; 
K.  frons.  The  last  is  preferable.  The  meaning  is :  This  country 
(sc.  of  these  tribes)  is  the  front,  so  to  speak  (i.  e.  the  part  facing  the 
Romans)  of  Germany,  so  far  as  it  is  formed  by  the  Danube,  i.  e.  so 
far  as  the  Danube  forms  the  boundary  between  Germany  and  the 
Roman  Empire. 

Marobodui.     Cf.  Ann.  2,  62 ;  Suet.  Tib.  37. 

Externos,  sc.  reges,  viz.  the  kings  of  the  Hermunduri.  Ann.  2, 
62. — Potentia.  Power  irrespective  of  right.  Polestas  is  lawful  au- 
thority. See  note,  7. 

Nee  minus  valent,  sc.  being  aided  by  our  money,  than  they  would 
be  if  they  were  reinforced  by  our  arm.  This  clause  in  some  copies 
stands  at  the  beginning  of  43. 


150  NOTES. 

XLIII.  Retro.  Bade  from  the  Danube  and  the  Roman  border. 
— Referunt.  Resemble.  Poetical,  cf.  20. 

Et  quod  patiuntur,  sc.  proves  that  they  are  not  of  German  origin. 
They  paid  tribute  as  foreigners.  The  Gothini  were  probably  a  rem- 
nant of  the  expelled  Boii.  Cf.  note,  28,  and  Prichard,  as  there  cited. 
Hence  their  Gallic  language. 

Quo  magis  pudent.  They  have  iron  beyond  even  most  of  the 
Germans  (cf.  6),  but  (shame  to  tell)  do  not  know  how  to  use  it  in 
asserting  their  independence.  Subj.  H.  497;  A.  and  G.  317,  b; 
Z.  536. 

Pauca  campestrium.  Poetical,  but  not  uncommon  in  the  later 
Latin.  So  41 :  secretiora  Germaniae ;  His.  4,  28 :  extrema  Gallia- 
rum.  H.  396,  III.  2,  3 ;  Z.  435. 

Jugum.     A  mountain  chain. — Vertices.    Distinct  summits. 

Insederunt.  This  word  usually  takes  a  dat.,  or  an  abl.,  with  in. 
But  the  poets  and  later  prose-writers  use  it  as  a  transitive  verb  with 
the  ace.  —  have  settled,  inhabited.  Cf.  H.  371,  4;  Z.  386;  and 
Freund  sub  voce.  Observe  the  comparatively  unusual  form  of  the 
perf.  3d  plur.  in  -erunt  instead  of  -ere.  Cf.  note,  His.  2,  20. 

Nomen  =  gens.     So  nomen  Latinum  =  Latins.     Liv.  pass. 

Interpretatione  Romano.  So  we  are  everywhere  to  understand 
Roman  accounts  of  the  gods  of  other  nations.  They  transferred  to 
them  the  names  of  their  own  divinities  according  to  some  slight, 
perhaps  fancied,  resemblance.  Cf.  note,  34:  quicquid  consen- 
simus. 

Ea  vis  numini,  i.  e.  these  gods  render  the  same  service  to  the 
Germans,  as  Castor  and  Pollux  to  the  Romans. 

Aleis,  dat.  pi.  Perhaps  from  the  Slavonic  word  holey  =  xovpoi, 
Greek  for  Castor  and  Pollux.  Referable  to  no  German  root. 

Peregrinae,  sc.  Greek  or  Roman. — Tamen.  Though  these  gods 
bear  no  visible  trace  of  Greek  or  Roman  origin,  yet  they  are  wor- 
shipped as  brothers,  as  youths,  likelhe  Greek  and  Roman  Twins. — 
Superstitionis  =  religionis.  Cf.  notes,  His.  3,  58;  5,  13. 

Lenocinantur.  Cherish,  increase.  Used  rhetorically ;  properly, 
to  pander. — Arte,  sc.  nigra  scuta,  etc. — Tempore,  sc.  atras  noctes,  etc. 
— Tincta  •=  tattooed. 

Ipsaque  formidine,  etc.  And  by  the  very  frightfulness  and 
shadow  of  the  deathlike  army.  Umbra  may  be  taken  of  the 
literal  shadows  of  the  men  in  the  night,  with  Rit.,  or  with  Dod. 


GERMANIA.  151 

and  Or.,  ot  the  general  image  or  aspect  of  the  army.  Feralis, 
as  an  adj.,  is  found  only  in  poetry  and  post-Augustan  prose.  See 
Freund. 

Gothones.  Perhaps  the  Getae  of  earlier  and  the  Goths  of  later 
history.  See  Or.  in  loc.  and  Grimm  and  other  authorities  aa  there 
cited.  The  Rugii  have  perpetuated  their  name  in  an  island  of  the 
Baltic  (Rugen). 

Addudius.  Lit.  with  tighter  rein,  with  more  absolute  power,  cf. 
His.  3,  7:  adductius,  quara  civili  bello,  imperitabat.  The  adv.  ia 
used  only  in  the  comp. ;  and  the  part,  adductus  is  post-Augustan. 
Jam  and  nondum  both  have  reference  to  the  writer's  progress  in 
going  over  the  tribes  of  Germany,  those  tribes  growing  less  and  less 
free  as  he  advances  eastward :  already  under  more  subjection  than 
the  foregoing  tribes,  but  not  yet  in  such  abject  slavery,  as  some 
we  shall  soon  reach,  sc.  in  the  next  chapter,  where  see  note  on 
jam. 

Supra.     So  as  to  trample  down  liberty  and  destroy  it. 

Protinus  deinde  ab,  etc.  Next  in  order,  from  the  ocean,  i.  e.  with 
territory  beginning  from  or  at  the  ocean. 

XLIV.  Suionum.  Swedes.  Not  mentioned  under  this  name, 
however,  by  any  other  ancient  author. 

Ipto.  The  Rugii,  etc.,  mentioned  at  the  close  of  the  previous 
section,  dwelt  by  the  ocean  (ab  Oceano) ;  but  the  Suiones  in  the 
ocean  (in  Oceano).  Ipso  marks  this  antithesis. 

In  Oceano.  An  island  in  the  Baltic.  Sweden  was  so  regarded 
by  the  ancients,  cf.  1,  note. 

Utrimque  prora.  Naves  biprorae.  Such  also  had  the  Veneti, 
Caes.  B.  G.  3,  13.  Such  Germanicus  constructed,  His.  3,  47.  So 
also  the  canoes  of  the  N.  Am.  Indians. 

Ministrantur,  sc.  naves  =  the  shipt  are  not  furnished  with  sails, 
cf.  His.  4,  12 :  viros  armaque  ministrant.  Or  it  may  be  taken  in 
the  more  literal  sense :  are  served,  i.  e.  worked,  managed.  Cf.  Virg. 
Aen.  6,  302 :  velisque  ministrat. — In  ordinem.  for  a  row,  i.  e.  so 
as  to  form  a  row,  cf.  Z.  314 :  also  Rit.  and  Dod.  in  loc.  The  North- 
men (Danes  and  Swedes)  became  afterwards  still  more  famous  for 
navigation  and  piratical  excursions,  till  at  length  they  settled  down 
in  great  numbers  in  France  and  England. 

In  quibusdam  fluminvm.  Rivers  with  steep  banks  require  the 
oars  to  be  removed  hi  order  to  approach  the  bank. 


152  NOTES. 

Est-honos.    Contrary  to  the  usual  fact  in  Germany,  cf.  6. 

Exccptionibus.  Limitations. — Jam.  Now,  i.  e.  here,  opposed  to 
the  foregoing  accounts  of  free  states  and  limited  monarchies. 

Precario.  Properly :  obtained  by  entreaty.  Hence :  dependent  on 
the  will  of  another,  cf.  A.  16. — Parendi.  A  gerund  with  passive 
sense,  lit.  with  no  precarious  right  of  being  obeyed.  So  Pass.,  K., 
Wr.,  and  Gun. 

In  promiscuo.  The  privilege  of  wearing  arms  is  not  conceded 
to  the  mass  of  the  people. — Et  quidem  =  et  eo,  and  that  too. 

Otiosa-manus.  Al.  otiosae  by  conjecture.  But  manus,  a  collec- 
tive noun  sing.,  takes  a  pi.  verb,  cf.  H.  461,  1 ;  A.  and  G.  206,  c;  Z. 
366. 

Regia  utilitas  est  =  regibus  utile  est. 

XLV.  Pigrum.  Cf.  A.  10 :  pigrum  ct  grave.  The  Northern  or 
Frozen  Ocean,  of  which  T.  seems  to  have  heard,  though  some  refer 
it  to  the  northern  part  of  the  Baltic.  Sec  Ky.  in  loc.  For  the  pos- 
sible origin  of  this  theory,  see  Smith's  Clas.  Diet.,  article  Pytheas  of 
Massilia. 

Hinc.     For  this  reason,  viz.  quod  eztremus,  etc. 

In  orlus.  Till  the  risings  (pi.)  of  the  sun,  i.  e.  from  day  to  day 
successively.  It  was  known  in  the  age  of  T.  that  the  longest  day 
grew  longer  towards  the  north,  till  at  length  it  became  six  months 
(cf.  Plin.  N.  H.  2,  77),  though  T.  supposed  it  to  be  thus  long  at  a 
lower  latitude  than  it  really  was,  cf.  A.  12. 

Sonum-aspici.    The  aurora  borealis,  some  suppose. 

Persuasio  adjicit.  The  common  belief  adds,  i.  e.  it  is  further  be- 
lieved, cf.  His.  5,  5.  13 :  persuasio  inerat. 

Illuc-natura.  Tantum  is  to  be  connected  with  illuc  usque. 
Thus  far  only  nature  extends.  So  thought  the  ancients.  Cf.  A.  33 : 
in  ipso  terrarum  ac  naturae  fine.  Et  vcra  fama  is  parenthetic.  The 
author  endorses  this  part  of  the  story. 

Ergo  marks  a  return  from  the  above  digression. 

Suevici  maris.     The  Baltic. 

Aestiorum  =  eastern  men,  modern  Esthonians.  Their  language 
was  probably  neither  German  nor  Briton,  but  Slavonic. 

Matrem  Deum.     Cybelc,  as  the  Romans  interpreted  it,  cf.  43. 

Insigne-gestant.     Worn,  as  amulets. 

frumenta  laborant,  i.  e.  labor  for  or  to  produce  com.  Cf.  Hor. 
Epod.  6,  60.  Laborare  is  transitive  only  in  poetry  and  post-Augus- 


GEKMANIA.  153 

tan  prose.  Elaborare  would  imply  too  much  art  for  the  author's 
purpose.  See  Hit.  in  loc. 

Succinum.  Amber,  an  important  article  of  commerce  in  early 
ages,  combining  some  vegetable  juice  (hence  the  Latin  name,  from 
succus)  with  some  mineral  ingredients. — Glcsum.  This  name  was 
transferred  to  glass,  when  it  came  into  use.  The  root  is  German. 
Compare  x«^«C«-  Dod. 

Nee  =  non  tamen.     Yet  it  is  not,  etc. 

Ut  barbaris.  Cf.  ut  inter  barbaros,  A.  11.  Barbaris  is  tlativ^ 
in  apposition  with  iis,  which  is  understood  after  compcrtum, 

Quae-ratio.     What  power  or  process  of  nature. 

Donec-dedit.     Cf.  note,  37  :  affeclavere. 

Plerumque.  Often ;  a  limited  sense  of  the  word  peculiar  to 
post-Augustan  Latin.  Cf.  G.  13  :  ipsa  plerurnque  fama  bella  profli- 
gant ;  and  Freund  ad  v. 

Quae-expressa  —  quorum  succus  expressus,  etc. 

In  tantum.     To  such  a  degree.     Frequent  only  in  late  Latin. 

A  servitute.  They  fall  short  cf  liberty  in  not  being  free,  like 
most  of  the  Germans ;  and  they  fall  below  slavery  itself,  in  that  they 
are  slaves  to  a  woman. 

XL VI.  Venedorum  et  Fennorum.  Modern  Vends  and  Finns,  or 
Fen-men.  Cf.  Latham  in  loc. — Ac  torpor  procerum.  The  chief  men 
are  lazy  and  stupid,  besides  being  filthy,  like  all  the  rest. 

Foedantur.  Cf.  infectos,  4. — Habitum,  here  personal  appear- 
ance, cf.  note,  17. — Ex  moribus,  sc.  Sarmatarum. 

Erigitur.  Middle  sense.  Raise  themselves,  or  rise,  cf.  evolvun- 
tur,  39. 

Figunt.  HO.VQ  fixed  habitations,  in  contrast  with  the  Sarmatians, 
who  lived  in  carts.  Cf.  Ann.  13,  54 :  fixerant  domos  Frisii.  Al. 
fingunt. 

Sarmatis.     The  stock  of  the  modern  Russians,  cf.  1,  note. 

Cubile.  We  should  expect  cubili  to  correspond  with  viclui  and 
vcstituti.  But  cf.  note,  18  :  referantur ;  20 :  ad  patrem,  etc. 

Comitantur,  \.  e.  feminae  comitantur  viris. 

Ingemere-illaborare.  Toil  and  groan  upon  houses  and  lands,  i.  e. 
in  building  and  tilling  them  ;  though  some  understand  domibus  and 
agris  as  the  places  in  which  they  toil. 

Versare.  To  be  constantly  employed  in  increasing  the  fortune 
of  themselves  and  others,  agitated  meanwhile  by  hope  and  fear. 


154  NOTES. 

Securi.    Because  they  have  nothing  to  lose. 

Illis.  Emphatic.  They,  unlike  others,  have  no  need,  etc.  Cf. 
apud  illos,  44. 

In  medium  relinquam.  Leave  for  the  public,  i.  e.  undecided. 
Relinquere  in  medio  is  the  more  common  expression.  Botticher  in 
his  Lex.  Tac.  explains  it,  as  equivalent  by  Zeugma  to  in  medium 
vocatum  relinquam  in  medio.  So  in  Greek,  lv  and  tls  often  inter- 
change. 


AGRICOLA. 


IT  was  under  the  shadow  of  the  imperial  halls  which  crowned  the 
Palatine,  girded  about  with  the_ponderous_  illustrations  of  KSme's 
invincible  strength,  when  the  empire  had  just  reached  the"  climax  of 
its  greatness,  that  Tacitus  wrote  his  narratives  of  the  wilds  of  Ger- 
many and  Britain.  How  little  did  he  imagine  that  the  most  appre- 
ciative students  of  his  writings  would  come  from  the  far-away  terri- 
tory of  these  wildernesses,  when  Rome  would  be  chiefly  valued  by 
the  world  aTa  vast  museum  of  ruins,  and  his  writings  would  become 
preeminently  precious,  not  because  of  what  they  told  of  Romans,  but 
because  in  their  pages  the  German  and  the  Briton  could  find  a  few 
leaves  of  his  own  family  record  ! 

Tacitus  wrote  bis  Agricola  as  a  tribute  of  love  to  a  revered  fa- 
ther and  friend :  we  enjoy  it  rather  as  a  story  of  England  than  of 
Rome.  If  we  find  that  our  blood  is  stirred  to  a  quicker  movement 
by  our  involuntary  enthusiasm  for  Agricola,  we  yet  rejoice  that  he 
found  his  campaigns  arduous  and  his  victories  dearly  bought,  be- 
cause of  the  prowess  of  the  men  who  fought  for  their  freedom  and 
their  homes ;  if  we  admire  his  generalship,  we  are  glad  that  it  re- 
quired all  the  skill  and  persistency  of  an  Agricola  to  reduce  Britain 
to  a  Roman  province.  We  do  indeed  love  to  cherish  in  fond  remem- 
brance the  manly  virtues  of  the  Roman  commander,  because  we 
give  a  tribute  of  admiration  to  every  fSrnTof  human  greatness ;  but 
we  search  for  the  elements  of  strength  in  his  uncivilized  enemies 
with  the  feeling  that  they  have  a  personal  connection  with  ourselves. 

It  is  true  that  our  family  connection  with  the  Britons  of  the  time 
of  Caesar  and  Agricola  is  at  the  most  very  faint ;  but  they  occupied 
the  family  homestead,  and  on  their  departure  left  behind  them  many 
a  relicT  the  footprints  of  their  life  and  labors,  and  thcirsilcnt  iqflu- 
ence  "has  descended  upon  us.  W  e  gather  with  keenzest  all  the 
facts  which  are  left  to  tell  us  who  and  what  they  were. 


156  NOTES. 


wfirn  CeU.s)_J)clonging  to  the  great  race  which,  won  thn  aHyap^f 
guard  of  all  whom  we  know  as  Aryan  tribes  in  their  emigration  to 
thelvcst,  whVh,  jn  Jfa  ™";""a  i«i™ai/«flp.  stretched  its'  camping- 
grounds  over  almost  the  whole  of  Europe  and  even  into  a  portion  of 
Africa,  and  has  left  everywhere  affixed  to  mountains  and  rivers  the 
Celtic  names  which  are  the  indisputable  proof  of  its  prodigious  jour- 
neyings.  It  is  only  in  the  extreme  west  that  they  have  been  per- 
mitted to  retain  a  home,  and  even  two  thousand  years  ago  they  were 
being  crowded  to  the  margin  of  the  continent.  Tn  ftan^  or  modern 
France,  and  Britain  theywere  then  fighting  to  maintain  their  indepen- 
dence, and,  though  gTUUlfy  divided  in  tb<>ir 


tions,  they  recognized  iheir  common  lineage,  and  felt  for  each  other 

a  common  sympathy!     The  association  between  JJritain  and  the  con- 

/y/ffincnt  was  tolerably  close.     Caesar  was  incited  to  conquer  the  island 

/      by  the  assistance  which  its  inhabitants  had  given  to  the  Gauls  :  the 

houses  were  like  those  upon  the  mainland;*  a  trade  of  considerable 

extent  was  sustained  —  altogether  the  civilization  of  the  islanders 

was  probably  little  if  at  all  inferior   to  that  of  their  continental 

cousins.     And  so,  in  the  matter  of  talent,  Aprricola  draws  a.  cnm. 

\~.      parison  between  the  two  nations  which  is  by  no  means  unfavorable 

i        to  th£_Bciiott4 

If  we  may  trust  the  tradition  handed  down  through  a  Roman 
poet  three  or  four  centuries  before  the  Christian  era,  the  Cartha- 
ginian Himilco  described  them  as  a  numerous  mn^  endowed  with 
spirit,  very  dexterous,  all  busy  with  the  cares  of  trade.  There 
seems  to  be  no  possible  doubt  that  from  a  most  remote  antiqHJty 
they  were  brought  la  CUUliil'L  'With  the  commerce  of  the  outside 
world,  which  jspugtit  c~agTjfry  fOT  the'  product  of  their  tuvmlncs. 
Strabo  speaks  ol  them  as  exporting  also  gold,  iron,  silver,  corn,  cattle,"" 
skins,  fleeces,  and  dogs.  The  barrow  tombs  which  have  been  opened, 
to  reveal  to  the  people  of  our  generation  the  secreted  relics  of  that 
old  Celtic  life,  have  shown  pottery  of  graceful  forms,  rings  of  gold, 
and  a  variety  of  objects  evincing  a  considerable  knowledge  of  the 
metallic  arts.  Thus  from  various  sources  we  gain  the  evidence  that 
the  Britons  had  at  least  reached  a  point  very  i'ar  above  the  condi- 
tions  of  savages.  "  ^^^ 

*  Cacs,  Comm.  v.,  12.  t  Ag.  xxi. 


AGRICOLA.  157 

Their  government  was  in  the  hands  of  kings,  but  these  ruled 
over  very  small  dominions.  The  little  province  of  Kent,  the  south- 
eastern corner  of  the  island,  was  divided  among  four  of  these  petty 
sovereigns.  The  law  of  descent  was  apparently  not  unvarying  ;  even 
a  woman,  as  in  the  case  of  Boadicea,  might  attain  to  the  supreme 
power.*  The  authority  of  the  chief  was  undoubtedly  limited  by  the 
popular  assembly  which  seems  to  have  belonged  to  the  primitive 
governments  of  all  the  Aryan  tribes,  and  which  we  find  in  actual  ses- 
sion in  the  references  by  Livy  to  the  Gauls  of  southern  France.  The 
priests  were,  moreover,  a  most  important  element  in  the  Celtic  con- 
stitution, forming  a  power  behind  the  throne  which  in  many  cases 
thrust  itself  very  far  to  the  front. 

In  their  warfare  the  people  proved  that  thny  WCTR  lacking  neither 
in  bravery  nor  in  skill.  It  is  in  fact  in  connection  with  the  accounts 
of  their  campaigns  that  we  gain  some  of  the  strongest  evidences  of 
their  advancement  towards  civilization.  Cavalry  was  a  strong  arm 
of  their  service.  They  were  even  more  famous,  however,  for  their 
chariotsTwlnch  they  used  with  genuine  Homeric  energy,  driving  with 
terrible  shock  and  uproar  against  the  enemy's  lines,  aiid  then  dis- 
mounting to  fight  on  foot  when  they  found  themselves  among  tTieir 
foca.  The  Roman  commander  and  historian  felt  bound  to  speak 
with  admiration  of  the  dexterity  jwith  which  they  guided  and  man- 
oeuvred their  horses.-)-  He  even'  lets  fall  the  confession  that  his 
heavy-armed  legions  were  by  no  means  a  match  for  such  an  enemy. 
The  art  of  fortification  was  certainly  not  ignored  among  them,  as  the 
capital  of  Cassivelaunus  was  declared  by  Caesar  to  have  been  ex- 
tremely strong,  both  by  nature  and  art.  After  all  of  Capsar's  efforts 
for  thc^subiugation  of  the  island,  it  ia  the  verdict  of  Tacitus  that  he 
accomplished  little  more  than  to  prepare  the  way  for  those  who  were 
to  follow. 

In  religion  the  ancient  Britons  were  bound  fast  under  the  power 
of  the  Druids.  "What  this  faith  was  or  whence  it  came  is  a  question 
which  we  can  answer  only  in  the  most  indefinite  terms.  The  analogy 
of  history  would  suggest  that  the  system  was  imported  from  the 
East,  and  the  character  of  the  faith  certainly  points  to  the  same 
conclusion.  Tradition  has  taught  us  to  shudder  at  the  mysteries  of 
its  consecrated  oak-groves,  its  superstitious  reverence  for  the  mistle- 

*  Caes.  Y.,  22.  t  Caes.  iv.,  33. 


158  NOTES. 

toe,  its  horrid  delight  in  human  sacrifices.  It  was  a  faith  which  un- 
doubtedly covered  some  dark  superstitions,  but  it  also  inculcated 
some  truths  of  inestimable  value.  Among  these  was  a  belief  in  one 
Supreme  Beinpfo  in  th<»  immortality  of  the  soul,  and  ill  a  lUture 
Btate'oT  rewards  and  pnniahmyjita^ita  teaching  with  regard  to  thP 
future  including  »lg"  a  theory  of  the  transmigration  ofjioula.  -*Tfi  ., 
pmfoaspri  tn  refyrpn  morals,  to  secure  peace,  to  encouragxTgoodncss. 
The  Druids  had  manifestly  made  some  progress  in  the  study  of 
astronomy,  and  they  pretended  to  possess  an  extended  knowledge  of 
the  healing  art.  Their  organization  was  quite  complete,  and  they 
gained  an  influence  over  their  followers  which  secured  to  them  enor- 
mous power.  Jnesar  tellH  QH  LlmL  hi  CJHui  there  wfeH!  <llllv  Imt 
classes  of  men  held  in  any  honor — the  Druids  and  the  nobles.  "  The 
Druids  preside  in  matters  of  religion,,  and  interpret  the  will  of  the 
gods.  They  have  the  direction  and  education  of  the  youth,  by  whom 
they  are  held  in  great  honor.  In  almost  all  controversies,  whether 
public  or  private,  the  decision  is  left  to  them."  This  description  is 
given  with  immediate  reference  to  Gaul,  but  the  system  was  the 
same  on  both  sides  of  the  channel.  Britainj&as-*e§»rded,  however, 
as  rather  the  stronghold  of  the  faith,  and  hiftnr  the  Gallic  youth 
who  wanted  the  most  complete  training  in  its  mysterious  lore  were 
Sent  to  piiraiifl  fopip  p^ii^a^nn|  sppmlmfr  nlt.pm.imea  twenty  years  in* 
possessing  fJipmfiflrBg  ftf  itn  fitftrfig  »l  wj^UHli  •  •  •  • 

Mr.  Nicholas,  in  his  "  Pedigree  of  the  English  People,"  after 
stating  such  facts  as  he  could  gather  with  regard  to  these  early  Britons, 
sums  up  his  conclusions  in  the  following  words :  "  Do  not  these 
facts  and  considerations  present  the  ancient  Britons  as  a  people  free, 
industrious,  iugmiloua,  aplhtedTwith  some  knowledge  ol  the  arts  of 
Iife7  workmg_m  UlUlUly,  lyuimereijttty  enterprising,  rr.-idy  (oTvclcoriie 
strangers,  huldiii^_uilirnato  ruiiimuiiii'iition  with  the  continent,  sub- 
sisting in  smalLkingdoms,  each  under  its  hereditary  sovereign,  prov- 
ing <^hjir_resp_ectfor  woman  by  entitling  her  to  the  throne,  and  so  far 
advanced  in  intellectual^  religiou.s,  and  general  culture,  that  the  Galils 
cnnt  fi^nit.  ^^n^i  tn  prjf flf^"^^,.  most  advanced  BdUeSIIoTITespecial- 
ly  in  that,  higher  department  of  wisdom  especially  presided  over  by 
the  Druids?"  Such  a, pejmle_arc  certainly  very  far  removed  from 
mere  barbarism. 

Inthedays  of  AgricolaT  Tacitus  informs  us  thatjjlip  ponpla^rorA 
very  much  divided  amon^thpmap1vpa|  t^rniicrh^thp.  jealousy  and 


AGRICOLA.  159 

bickering  of  chiefs  even  more  petty  than  their  kings.  They  were 
nhpjft^ftly  ;n  ^n  nvil  rendition  for  resisting  the  might  of  the  Roman 
Empire.  And  yet  they  proved  to  be  no  mean  adversaries.  Their 
spirit  was  high ;  their  governors  needed  policy,  but  were  not  wanting 
in  courage ;  they  might  obey,  but  they  would  not  be  slaves.  Where 
extreme  necessity  drove  them  to  combine,  they  evinced  no  despicable 
strength ;  but  it  was  only  rarely  that  even  a  few  states  would  be 
made  to  act  together.  When  the  Roman  arms  went  northward  into 
the  very  borders  of  Scotland,  it  was  again  the  old  Roman  weapon  : 
the  discord  of  the  Britons  availed  even  more  than  the  arm  of  Agri- 
cola.  ~"li.  it.  r. 

The  biography  of  Agricola  was  written  early  in  the  reign  of  Tra- 
Jan  (which  commence^  A  TT  n  ssf 'A  I).  9S),  consequently  about 
the  same  time  with  the  German  ia,  though  perhaps  somewhat  later 
(cf.  notes  on  Germania).  This~date  is  established  by  inference  from 
the  author's  own  language  in  the  3d  and  the  44th  sections  (see 
notes).  In  the  former  he  speaks  of  the  dawn  of  a  better  day,  which 
opened  indeed  with  the  reign  of  Nerva,  but  which  is  now  brighten- 
ing  constantly  under  the  auspicea  of  Trajan.  The  use  of  theTpast 
tense  (miscuerit)  here  in  respect  to  Nerva,  and  of  the  present  (augeaf) 
in  respect  to  Trajan,  is  quite  conclusive  evidence  that,  at  the  time  of 
writing,  the  reign  of  Nerva  was  past,  and  that  of  Trajan  had  already 
begun. 

The  other  passage  is,  if  possible,  still  more  clearly  demonstrative 
of  the  same  date.  Here  in  drawing  the  same  contrast  between  past 
tyranny  and  present  freedom,  the  author,  without  mentioning  Nerva, 
records  the  desire  and  hope,  which  his  father-in-law  expressed  in  his 
hearing,  that  he  might  live  to  see  Trajan  elevated  tothe_  imperial 
throne— language  very  proper  and  courtly,  if  Trajan  were  already 
Emperor,  but  a  very  awkward  compliment  to  Nerva,  if,  as  many 
critics  suppose,  he  were  still  the  reigning  prince. 

It  is  objected  to  this  date  that,  if  Nerva  were  not  still  living,  Taci- 
tus could  not  have  failed  to  attach  to  his  name  (in  §  3)  the  epithet 
Divus,  with  which  deceased  Emperors  were  usually  honored.  And 
from  the  omission  of  this  epithet  in  connection  with  the  name  of 
Werva,  together  with  the  terms  of  honor  in  which  Trajan  is  men- 
tioned, it  is  inferred  that  the  piece  was  written  in  that  brief  period 
of  three  months,  which  intervened  between  the  adoption  of  Trajan 
by  Nerva,  and  Nerva's  death  (see  Brotier  and  many  others).  But 


160  NOTES. 

the  application  of  the  epithet  in  question  was  not  a  matter  of  neces- 
sity, or  of  universal  practice.  Its  omission  in  this  case  might  have 
been  accidental,  or  might  have  proceeded  from  unknown  reasons. 
And  the  bare  absence  of  a  single  word  surely  cannot  be  entitled  to 
much  weight,  in  comparison  with  the  obvious  and  almost  necessary 
import  of  the  passages  just  cited. 

The  primary  object  of  thn  work  is  sufficiently  ob vious.  It  was 
to  honor  the  memory  of  the  writer's  excellent  father-in-law.  Agricola 
(cf.  §  3 :  honori  Agricolae,  mei  soceri,  destinatus).  So  far  from 
apologizing  for  writing  the  life  of  so  near  a  friend,  he  feels  assured 
that  his  motives  will  be  appreciated  and  his  design  approved,  how- 
ever imperfect  may  be  its  execution ;  and  he  deems  an  apology  nec- 
essary for  having  so  long  delayed  the  performance  of  that  filial  duty. 
After  an  introduction  of  singular  beauty  and  appropriateness  (cf. 
notes),  he  sketches  a  brief  outline  of  the  parentage,  education,  and 
early  life  of  Agricola,  but  draws  out  more  at  length  the  history  of 
his  consulship  and  command  in  .Britain,  of  which  the  following  sum- 
mary,  irom  llume's  "  .History  of  England,"  may  not  be  unprofitable 
to  the  student  in  anticipation :  "  Agricola  was  the  general  who  final- 
ly established  the  dominion  of  the  Romans  in  this  island.  He  gov- 
crned  it  in  the  reigns  of  Vespasian,  Titus,  and  Domitian.  He  car- 
ried insvictorious  arms  northward ;  defeated  the  Tritons  in  every 
encounter,  pierced  into  the  forests  and  the  mountains  of  Caledonia, 
reduced  every  state  to  subjection  in  the1  southern  pans  01  flic  island, 
and  cli:iM- 1  Ix'foro  him  all  the  men  of  fiercer  and  more  intractable 
spirits,  who  deemed  war  and  death  itself  less  intolerable  than  servi- 
tude7 under  ihc  vlciori.  Hu  defeated  tlitiiu  hi  -et  -tte«4firre'~action 
which  they  fought  under  Galgacus ;  and  having  fixed  a  chain  of  gar- 
risons between  the  friths  of  Clyde  and  Forth,  he  cut  off  the  ruder 
and  more  barren  parts  of  the  island,  and  secured  the  Roman  prov- 
ince from  the  incursions  of  the  more  barbarous  inhabitants.  During 
these  military  enterprises,  he  neglected  not  the  arts  of  peace.  He 
introduced  laws  and  civility  among  the  Britons  ;  taught  them  tp_de- 
sire  and  raise  all  the  conveniences  of  life ;  reconciled  them  to  the 
Roman  language  and  manners ;  instructed  them  in  letters  and  sci- 
ence ;  and  employed  every  expedient  to  render  those  chains  which 
he  had  forged  both  easy  and  agreeable  to  them."  (His.  of  l^ng., 
vol.  I.)  ~~ 

he  history  of  Agricola  during  this  period  is  of  course  the  his- 


AGRICOLA.  161 

tory  of  Britain.  Accordingly  the  author  prefaces  it  with  an  outline 
oft!he  geographical  features,  the  situation,  soil,  climate,  productions, 
and,  so  far  as  known  to  the  Romans,  the  past  --history  of  the  island. 
Tacitus  possessed  peculiar  advantages  for  being  the  historian  of  the 
early  Britons.  His  father-in-law  was  the  first  to  subject  the  whole 
island  to  the  sway  of  Rome.  He  traversed  the  country  from  south 
to  north  at  the  head  of  his  armies,  explored  it  with  his  own  eyes, 
and  reported  what  he  saw  to  our  author  with  his  own  lips.  He  saw 
the  Britons,  too,  in  their  native  nobleness,  in  their  primitive  love  of 
liberty  and  virtue ;  before  they  had  become  the  slaves  of  Roman 
arms,  the  dupes  of  Roman  arts,  or  the  victims  of  Roman  vices.  A 
few  paragraphs  in  the  concise  and  nervous  style  of  Tacitus  have 
made  us  quite  acquainted  with  the  Britons,  as  Agricola  found  them ; 
and  on  the  whole,  we  have  no  reason  to  be  ashamed  of  th^  primpvn^ 
inhabitants  of  the  land  Of  Our  ancestry! Theyknew  their  rights, 
theyprizca  tiiem,  they  fought  tor  them  bravely  and  died  for  them 
noblVj^Jtfore  harmony  among  themselves  might  Tiave  delayed,  but 
could  not  have  prevented,  the  final  catastrophe.  Rome  in  the  age 
of  Trajan  was  irresistible ;  and  Britain  became  a  Roimanj)roTinee. 
This  portion  of  the  Agricola  of  Tacitus,  and  the  Germania  of  the 
same  author,  entitle  him  to  the  peculiar  affection  and  lasting  grati- 
tude of  those  whose  veins  flow  with  Briton  and  Anglo-Saxon  blood, 
as  the  historian,  and  the  contemporary  historian  too,  of  their  early 
fathers.  It  is  a  notable  providence  for  us — nay,  it  is  a  kind  provi- 
dence for  mankind — that .has  thus  preserved,  from  the  pen  of  the 
most  sagacious  and  reflecting  of  all  historians,  an  account,  too  brief 
though  it  be,  of  the  origin  and  antiquities  of  the"peop'le  that  of  all 
others  now  exert  the  widest  dominion,  whether  m  the  political  or 
the  moral  world,  aad  that  have  made  those  countries,  which  were  ii» 
his  day  shrouded  in  darkness,  the  radiant  points  for  the  moraPand 
spiritual  illumination  ot  our  race.  u  The  (ShHdlslfather  to  the  man," 
and  if  we  would  at  this  day  investigate  the  elements  of  English  law, 
we  have  it  on  the  authority  of  Sir  William  Blackstone  that  we  must 
trace  them  back  to  their  founders  in  the  customs  of  the  Britons  and 
Germans,  as  recorded  by  Caesar  and  Tacitus. 

With  the  retirement  of  Agricola  from  the  command  in  Britain, 
the  author  falls  back  more  into  the  province  of  biography.  The  few 
occasional  strokes,  however,  in  which  the  pencil  of  Tacitus  has 
sketched  the  character  of  Domitian  in  the  background  of  the  picture 


162  NOTES. 

of  Agricola,  are  the  more  to  be  prized,  because  his  history  of  that 
reign  is  lost. 

In  narrating  the  closing  scenes  of  Agricola's  life,  Tacitus  breathes 
the  very  spirit  of  an  affectionate  son,  without  sacrificing  the  impar- 
tiality and  gravity  of  the  historian,  and  combines  all  a  mourner's 
simplicity  and  sincerity  with  all  the  orator's  dignity  and  eloquence. 

How  tenderly  he  dwells  on  the  wisdom  and  goodness  of  his  de- 
parted father ;  how  artlessly  he  intersperses  his  own  sympathies  and 
regrets,  even  as  if  he  were  breathing  out  his  sorrows  amid  a  circle 
of  sympathizing  friends !  At  the  same  time,  how  instructive  are  his 
reflections,  how  noble  his  sentiments,  and  how  weighty  '.is  words,  as 
if  he  were  pronouncing  an  eulogium  in  the  hearing  of  the  world  and 
of  posterity  !  The  sad  experience  of  the  writer  in  the  very  troubles 
through  which  be  follows  Agricola  conspires  with  the  affectionate 
remembrance  of  his  own  loss  in  the  death  of  such  a  father  to  give  a 
tinge  of  melancholy  to  the  whole  biography;  and  we  should  not 
know  where  to  look  for  the  composition,  in  which  so  perfect  a  work 
of  art  is  animated  by  so  warm  a  heart.  In  both  these  respects  it  is 
decidedly  superior  to  the  Germania.  It  is  marked  by  the  same 
depth  of  thought  and  conciseness  in  diction,  but  it  is  a  higher  effort 
of  the  writer,  while,  at  the  same  time,  it  gives  us  more  insight  into 
the  character  of  the  man.  It  has  less  of  satire  and  more  of  senti- 
ment. Or  if  it  is  not  richer  in  refined  sentiments  and  beautiful  re- 
flections, they  are  interwoven  with  the  narrative  in  a  manner  more 
easy  and  natural.  The  sentiments  seem  to  be  only  the  language  of 
Agricola's  virtuous  heart,  and  the  reflections,  we  feel,  could  not  fail 
to  occur  to  such  a  mind  in  the  contemplation  of  such  a  character. 
There  is  also  more  ease  and  flow  in  the  language ;  for,  concise  as  it 
still  is  and  studied  as  it  may  appear,  it  seems  to  be  the  very  style 
which  is  best  suited  to  the  subject  and  most  natural  to  the  author. 
In  another  writer,  we  might  call  it  labored  and  ambitious. 
But  we  cannot  feel  that  it  cost  Tacitus  very  much  effort.  Still  less 
can  we  charge  him  with  an  attempt  at  display.  In  short,  an  air  of 
confidence  in  the  dignity  of  the  subject,  and  in  the  powers  of  the 
author,  pervades  the  entire  structure  of  this  fine  specimen  of  biog- 
raphy. And  the  reader  will  not  deem  that  confidence  ill-grounded. 
He  cannot  fail  to  regard  this  as  among  the  noblest,  if  not  the  very 
noblest  monument  ever  reared  to  the  memory  of  any  individual. 

"  We  find  in  it  the  flower  of  all  the  beauties  which  T.  has  scat- 


AGRICOLA.  163 

tered  through  his  other  works.  It  is  a  chef-d'oeuvre,  which  satisfies 
at  once  the  judgment  and  the  fancy,  the  imagination  and  the  heart. 
It  is  justly  proposed  as  a  model  of  historical  eulogy.  The  praises 
bestowed  have  in  them  nothing  vague  or  far-fetched ;  they  rise  from 
the  simple  facts  of  the  narrative.  Every  thing  produces  attachment ; 
every  thing  conveys  instruction.  The  reader  loves  Agricola,  admires 
him,  conceives  a  passion  for  him,  accompanies  him  in  his  campaigns, 
shares  in  his  disgrace,  and  profits  by  his  example.  The  interest  goes 
on  growing  to  the  last.  And  when  it  seems  incapable  of  further 
increase,  passages  pathetic  and  sublime  transport  the  soul  out  of 
itself,  and  leave  it  the  power  of  feeling  only  to  detest  the  tyrant, 
and  to  melt  into  tenderness,  without  weakness,  over  the  destiny  of 
the  hero."  (La  Bletterie.) 


I.  Usitatum.  A  participle  in  the  ace.  agreeing  with  the  preced- 
ing clause,  and  forming  with  that  clause  the  object  of  the  verb  omi- 
sit.— ^Ne-quidem.  Cf.  G.  6,  note. 

Incuriosa  suorum.  So  Ann.  2,  88:  dum  vetera  extollimus,  re- 
centium  incuriosi.  Incuriosus  is  post- Augustan. 

Ne-omisit.  Referring  perhaps  to  the  works  alluded  to  at  the 
commencement  of  the  next  chapter. 

Virtus  vicit-vitium.  Alliteration,  which  is  not  unfrequent  in  T., 
as  also  homoeoteleuta,  words  ending  with  like  sounds.  Dr. 

Ignoranliam-invidiam.  The  gen.  recti  limits  both  substantives, 
which  properly  denote  different  faults ;  but  since  they  are  usually 
associated,  they  are  here  spoken  of  as  one  (vltium). 

In  aperto.  Literally,  in  the  open  field  or  way  ;  hence,  free  from 
obstructions.  Sal.  (Jug.  5)  uses  it  for  in  open  day,  or  clear  light. 
But  that  sense  would  be  inappropriate  here.  Easy.  Not  essentially 
different  from  pronum,  which  properly  means  inclined,  and  hence 
easy.  These  two  words  are  brought  together  in  like  manner  in 
other  passages  of  our  author,  cf.  33 :  vota  virtusque  in  aperto,  om- 
niaque  prona  victoribus.  An  inelegant  imitation  may  be  thus  ex- 
pressed in  English  :  down-hill  and  open-ground  work. 

Sine  gratia  aut  ambitione.  Without  courting  favor  or  seeking 
preferment.  Gratia  properly  refers  more  to  the  present,  ambitio  to 
8 


164  NOTES. 

the  future.  Cf.  Ann.  6,  46 :  Tiberio  non  perinde  gratia  praesentium, 
quam  in  posteros  ambitio.  Ambitio  is  here  used  in  a  bad  sense  (as 
it  is  sometimes  in  Cic.).  For  still  another  bad  sense  of  the  word,  cf. 
G.  2Y. 

Celeberrimus  quisque.  Such  men  as  Plir.y  the  elder,  Claudius 
Pollio,  and  Julius  Secundus,  wrote  biographies.  Also  Rusticus  and 
Senecio.  See  chap.  2. 

Pleriqite.  Not  most  persons,  but  many,  or  very  many.  Cf.  His. 
1,  86,  and  4,  84,  where  it  denotes  a  less  number  than  plures  and 
plurimi,  to  which  it  is  allied  in  its  root  (pie,  ple-us,  plus,  plerus. 
See  Freund  ad  v.). 

Suam  ipsi  vitam.  Autobiography.  Cic.  in  his  Epist.  to  Lucceius 
says :  If  I  cannot  obtain  this  favor  from  you,  I  shall  perhaps  be 
compelled  to  write  my  own  biography,  multorum  exemplo  et  clarorum 
virorum.  When  ipse  is  joined  to  a  possessive  pronoun  in  a  reflexive 
clause,  it  takes  the  case  of  the  subject  of  the  clause.  Cf.  Z.  696, 
note ;  H.  452,  1 ;  A.  and  G.  195,  1. 

Fiduciam  morum.  A  mark  of  conscious  integrity  ;  literally  con- 
fidence of,  i.  e.  in  their  morals.  Morum  is  objectiye  gen.  For  the 
two  accusatives  (one  of  which,  however,  is  the  clause  suam-narrare) 
after  arbitrati  sunt,  see  Z.  394 ;  H.  873 ;  A.  and  G.  239.  A  gen. 
may  take  the  place  of  the  latter  ace.,  csse  being  understood, 
Z.  448. 

Rutilio.  Rntilius  Rufus,  consul  A.  U.  C.  649,  whom  Cic.  (Brut. 
30,  114)  names  as  a  profound  scholar  in  Greek  literature  and 
philosophy,  and  Velleius  (2,  13,  2)  calls  the  best  man,  not  merely 
of  his  own,  but  of  any  age.  He  wrote  a  Roman  history  in 
Greek.  Plut.  Mar.  28.  His  autobiography  is  mentioned  only  by 
Tacitus. 

Scauro.  M.  Aemilius  Scaurus,  consul  A.  U.  C.  639,  who  wrote 
an  autobiography,  which  Cic.  (Brut.  29,  112)  compares  favorably 
with  the  Cyropaedia  of  Xenophon. 

Citra  fidem.  Cf.  note,  G.  16. — Ant  obtrectationi.  Enallage,  cf. 
note,  G.  15.  Render:  This  in  the  case  of  Rutilius  and  Scaurus  did 
not  impair  (public)  confidence  nor  incur  (public)  censure. 

Adeo.  To  such  a  degree,  or  so  (rite  it  is.  Adeo  conclusiva,  et  in 
initio  sententiae  collocata,  ad  mediam  latinitatem  pertinet.  Dr.  Livy 
uses  adeo  in  this  way  often ;  Cic.  uses  tanfum. 

At  nunc,  etc.     But  now  (in  our  age  so  different  from  those  better 


AGRICOLA.  165 

days)  in  undertaking  to  write  (I.  e.  if  I  had  undertaken  to  write)  the 
life  of  a  man  at  the  time  of  his  death,  I  should  have  needed  permis- 
sion; which  I  would  not  have  asked,  since  in  that  case  I  should  have 
fallen  on  times  so  cruel  and  hostile  to  virtue.  The  reference  is  par- 
ticularly to  the  time  of  Domitian,  whose  jealousy  perhaps  occasioned 
the  death  of  Agricola,  and  would  have  been  offended  by  the  very 
asking  of  permission  to  write  his  biography.  Accordingly,  the  his- 
torian proceeds  in  the  next  chapter  to  illustrate  the  treatment  which 
the  biographers  of  eminent  men  met  with  from  that  cruel  tyrant. 
Opus  fuit  stands  instead  of  opus  fuisset.  Cf.  His.  1,  16 :  dignu* 
eram;  3,  22:  ratio  fuit;  and  Z.  518,  519.  The  concise  mode  of 
using  the  future  participles  narraluro  and  incursaturus  (in  place  of 
the  verb  in  the  proper  mood  and  with  the  proper  conjunctions,  if, 
when,  since)  belongs  to  the  silver  age,  and  is  foreign  to  the  language 
,  of  Cicero.  Such  is  the  interpretation,  which,  after  a  thorough  rein- 
vestigation,  I  am  now  inclined  to  apply  to  this  much-disputed  pas- 
sage. It  is  that  of  Ritter.  It  will  be  seen  that  the  text  also  differs 
slightly  from  that  of  the  first  edition  (in-cursalurus  instead  of  ni 
cursaturus).  Besides  the  authority  of  Hit.,  Dod.,  Freund,  and  others, 
I  have  been  influenced  by  a  regard  to  the  usage  of  Tacitus,  which 
lends  no  sanction  to  a  transitive  sense  of  cursare.  Cf.  Ann.  15,  50 ; 
His.  5,  20.  In  many  editions,  mihi  stands  before  nunc  narraturo. 
But  nunc  is  the  emphatic  word,  and  should  stand  first,  as  it  does  in 
the  best  MSS. 

II.  Legimus.  Quis  ?  Tacitus  ejusdemque  aetatis  homines  alii. 
Ubi?  In  actis  diurnis.  Wr.  Iliese  journals  (Fiske's  Man.  p.  626, 
4.  ed.)  published  such  events  (cf.  Dio.  67, 11),  and  were  read  through 
the  empire  (Ann.  16,  22).  T.  was  absent  from  Eome  when  the 
events  here  referred  to  took  place  (cf.  45 :  longae  absentiae).  Hence 
the  propriety  of  his  saying  leyimus,  rather  than  vidimus  or  mcmini- 
mus,  which  have  been  proposed  as  corrections. 

Aruleno  Rustico.  Put  to  death  by  Domitian  for  writing  a  me- 
moir or  panegyric  on  Paetus  Thrasea,  cf.  Suet.  Dom.  10. 

Pactus  Thrasea.  Cf.  Ann.  16,  21 :  Trucidatis  tot  insignibus 
viris,  ad  postremum  Nero  virtutem  ipsam  exscindere  concupivit,  in- 
terfecto  Thrasea  Paeto. 

Herennio  Scnecioni.  Cf.  Plin.  (Epist.  7,  19),  where  Senecio  is 
said  to  have  written  the  life  of  Helvidius  at  the  request  of  Fannia, 
wife  of  Helvidius,  who  was  also  banished,  as  accessory  to  the  crime, 


166  NOTES. 

i 

but  who  bore  into  exile  the  very  books  which  had  been  the  cause  of 
her  exile.     For  the  dat.  cf.  note,  G.  3  :   Ulixi. 

Priscus  Hclvidius,  son-in-law  of  Thrasea  and  friend  of  the  younger 
Pliny,  was  put  to  death  by  Vespasian.  Suet.  Vcsp.  15 ;  His.  4,  5  ; 
Juv.  Sat.  5,  36. 

Laudati  essent.  The  imp.  and  plup.  subj.  are  used  in  narration 
after  cum,  even  when  it  denotes  time  merely.  Here,  however,  a 
causal  connection  is  also  intended.  H.  518,  II. ;  A.  and  G.  325 ;  Z. 
67T,  578. 

Triumviris.  The  Triumviri  at  Rome,  like  the  Undccimviri  (ol 
eVSe/ca)  at  Athens,  had  charge  of  the  prisons  and  executions,  for 
which  purpose  they  had  eight  lictors  at  their  command. 

Comitio  ac  foro.  The  comitium  was  a  part  of  the  forum.  Yet 
the  words  are  often  used  together  (cf.  Suet.  Caes.  10).  The  comitium 
was  the  proper  place  for  the  punishment  of  criminals,  and  the  word 
forum  suggests  the  further  idea  of  the  publicity  of  the  book-burning 
in  the  presence  of  the  assembled  people. 

Conscientiam,  etc.  The  consciousness,  i.  e.  common  knowledge  of 
mankind ;  for  conscientia  denotes  what  one  knows  in  common  with 
others,  as  well  as  what  he  is  conscious  of  in  himself.  Cf.  His.  1, 
25 :  constientiam  facinoris ;  Cic.  Cat.  1,  1 :  omnium  horum  con- 
scientia. In  his  Annals  (4,  35),  T.  ridicules  the  stupidity  of  those 
who  expect  by  any  present  power  to  extinguish  the  memory  also 
of  the  next  generation.  The  sentiment  of  both  passages  is  just  and 
fine. 

Sapientiae  professoribus.  Philosophers,  who  were  banished  by 
Domitian,  A.  D.  94,  on  the  occasion  of  Rusticus's  panegyric  on 
Thrasea.  T.  not  unfrequently  introduces  an  additional  circumstance 
by  the  abl.  abs.,  as  here. 

Ne  occurreret.  Ne  with  the  subj.  expresses  a  negative  intention  ; 
ut  non  a  negative  result.  H.  490 ;  A.  and  G.  331 ;  Z.  532. 

Inquisitiones.  A  system  of  espionage,  sc.  by  the  Emperor's  tools 
and  informers. — Et  =  etiam,  even.  Cf.  note,  11.  Al.  ctiam. 

Mcinoriam-perdidissemus,  i.  e.  we  should  not  have  dared  to  re- 
member, if  we  could  have  helped  it. 

III.  Et  quanquam.  Et  pro  sed.  So  Dr.  But  nunc  demum  ani- 
mus rcdit  implies  that  confidence  is  hardly  restored  yet;  and  the 
reason  for  so  slow  a  recovery  is  given  in  the  following  clause.  Hence 
ct  is  used  in  its  proper  copulative  or  explicative  sense.  So  Wr. 


AGRICOLA.  167 

Demum  is  a  lengthened  form  of  the  demonstrative  dcrn.  Cf.  i-dem, 
tan-dem,  $•%.  Nunc  demum  =  vvv  8^.  Freund. 

Primo  statim.  Stalim  gives  emphasis :  at  the  very  commence- 
ment, etc. ;  cf.  note,  20. — Dissociabiles,  incompatible. 

Augeatquc-Trajanus.  This  marks  the  date  of  the  composition, 
early  in  the  reign  of  Trajan.  See  Introduction. 

Securitas  pubiica.  "And  public  security  has  assumed  not  only 
hopes  and  wishes,  but  has  seen  those  wishes  rise  to  confidence  and  sta- 
bility. Securitas  pubiica  was  a  current  expression  and  wish,  and 
was  frequently  inscribed  on  medals."  Ky. 

Assumpserit.  This  word  properly  belongs  only  to  fiduciam  ac 
robur.  Spem  ac  votum  would  require  rather  conceperit.  Zeugma. 

Subil.     Steals  in,  lit.  creeps  under.     Cf.  note,  H.  1,  13. 

Invisa  primo-amatur.  The  original  perhaps  of  Pope's  lines : 
'Vice  is  a  monster,  etc. 

Quindccim  annos.  The  reign  of  Domitian  from  A.  D.  81  to  A.  D. 
90. 

Fortuilis  casibus.  Natural  and  ordinary  death,  as  opposed  to 
death  by  violence,  sacvitia  principis. — Prompt issimus  quisque.  The 
ablest,  or  all  the  ablest.  Quisque  with  a  superlative,  whether  singular 
or  plural,  is  in  general  equivalent  to  omnes  with  the  positive,  with 
the  additional  idea,  however,  of  a  reciprocal  comparison  among  the 
persons  denoted  by  quisque.  Z.  710,  6. 

Ut  ita  dixcrim.  An  apology  for  the  strong  expression  nostri 
supcrsliics:  survivors  not  of  others  only,  but,  so  to  speak,  of  ourselves 
also  ;  for  we  can  hardly  be  said  to  have  lived  under  the  tyranny  of 
Dom.,  and  our  present  happy  life  is,  as  it  were,  a  renewed  existence 
after  being  buried  for  fifteen  years.  A  beautiful  conception  !  The 
use  of  dixerim  in  preference  to  dicam  in  this  formula  is  characteristic 
of  the  later  Latin.  Cf.  Z.  628.  The  et  before  this  clause  is  omitted 
by  some  editors.  But  it  is  susceptible  of  an  explanation,  which  adds 
spirit  to  the  passage :  A  few  of  us  survive,  and  that  not  merely  our- 
selves, but,  so  to  speak,  others  also.  In  the  Augustan  age  superstes 
was,  for  the  most  part,  followed  by  the  dative. 

Tamcn.  Notwithstanding  the  unfavorable  circumstances  in 
which  I  write,  after  so  long  a  period  of  deathlike  silence,  in  which 
we  have  almost  lost  the  gift  of  speech,  yet  I  shall  not  regret  to  have 
composed  even  in  rude  and  inelegant  language,  etc.  For  the  con- 
struction ofpiycbit,  cf.  Z.  441 ;  H.  410,  6 ;  A.  and  G.  221,  c. 


168  NOTES. 

Memoriam-composuisse,  Supposed  to  refer  to  his  forthcoming 
history,  written,  or  planned  and  announced,  but  not  yet  published. 
Some  understand  it  of  the  present  treatise.  But  then  interim  would 
have  no  meaning ;  nor  indeed  is  the  language  applicable  to  his  Agri- 
cola. 

Interim,  BC.  editw  or  vulgatus,  published  meanwhile,  i.  e.  while 
preparing  the^history. 

The  reader  cannot  but  be  struck  with  the  beauty  of  this  intro- 
duction. It  is  modest,  and  at  the  same  time  replete  with  the  dignity 
of  conscious  worth.  It  is  drawn  out  to  considerable  length,  yet  it  is 
all  so  pertinent  and  tasteful,  that  we  would  not  spare  a  sentence  or 
a  word.  With  all  the  thoughtful  and  sententious  brevity  of  the  ex- 
ordiums of  Sallust,  it  has  far  more  of  natural  ease  and  the  beauty  of 
appropriateness. 

IV.  Cnaeus  Julius  Agricola.  Every  Roman  had  at  least  three 
names :  the  nomen  or  name  of  the  gens,  which  always  ended  in  ius 
(Julius) ;  the  praenomen  or  individual  name  ending  in  MS  (Cnaeus) ; 
and  the  cognomen  or  family  name  (Agricola).  See  a  brief  account 
of  A.  in  Dion  Cassius  66,  20.  Mentioned  only  by  Dion  and  T.  Al. 
Gnaeus,  C.  and  G.  being  originally  identical. 

Forojuliensium  colonia.  Now  Frejus.  A  walled  town  of  Gallia 
Narboncnsis,  built  by  Julius  Caesar,  and  used  as  a  naval  station  by 
Augustus  (cf.  His.  3,  43 :  claustra  maris).  Augustus  sent  thither 
the  beaked  ships  captured  in  the  battle  of  Actium,  Ann.  4,  5.  Hence 
perhaps  called  illustris. 

Procuratorem  Caesarum.  The  procurators  had  charge  of  the 
revenue  in  those  provinces  which  were  under  the  immediate  charge 
of  the  Emperor,  in  contradistinction  from  those  which  were  under 
the  Senate. 

Quae  equcstris-est,  i.  e.  the  procurator  was,  as  we  say,  ex  officio, 
a  Roman  knight.  The  office  was  not  conferred  on  senators. 

Julius  Graecinus.  Cf.  Sen.  de  Benef.  2,  21 :  Si  exemplo  magni 
animi  opus  est,  utemur  Graecini  Julii,  viri  egregii,  quern  C.  Caesar 
occidit  ob  hoc  unum,  quod  melior  vir  esset,  quam  esse  quemquam 
tyranno  expediret. 

Senatorii  ordinis.  Fred,  after  fuit  understood,  with  ellipsis  of 
vir.  H.  402,  III. ;  A.  and  G.  215  and  214,  b ;  Z.  426. 

Sapicntiae.  Philosophy,  cf.  1. — Caii  Caesaris.  Known  in  Eng- 
lish histories  by  the  name  of  Caligula. 


AGRICOLA.  169 

Marcum  Silanum.  Father-in-law  of  Caligula,  cf.  Suet.  Calig.  23 : 
Silanum  item  socerum  ad  necern  secandasque  novacula  fauces  com- 
pulit. 

Jussns.  Supply.es*.  T.  often  admits  esl  in  the  first  of  two  passive 
verbs,  cf.  9  :  detentus  ac  statim  .  ,  .  revocatus  esL  In  Hand's  TUT- 
eellinus  (2,474),  however,  jussus  is  explained  as  a  participle,  and  quia 
banuerat  as  equivalent  to  another  participle  =  having  been  command- 
ed and  having  refused. 

Abnuerat,  lit.  had  refused,  because  the  refusal  was  prior  to  the 
slaying.  We,  with  less  accuracy,  say  refused,  Z.  505. 

Rarae  castitatis.  Ellipsis  of  mulier.  H.  397,  1 ;  A,  and  G.  214, 
b ;  Z.  426. 

In-indulgentiaque.  Brought  up  in  her  bosom  and  tender  love. 
Indulgentia  is  more  frequently  used  to  denote  excessive  tenderness, 

Arcebat  has  for  its  subject  the  clause,  quod  staiim,  etc.  He  was 
guarded  agaiast  the  allurements  of  vice  by  the  wholesome  influences 
thrown  around  him  in  the  place  of  his  early  education. 

Massiliam.  Now  Marseilles.  It  was  settled  by  a  colony  of  Pho- 
caeans.  Hence  Graeca  comitate.  Cf.  also  Cicero's  account  of  the 
high  culture  and  refinement  of  Massilia  (Cic.  pro  Flacco,  26). — Pro- 
•ainciali  parsimonia.  Parsimonia  in  a  good  sense  ;  economy,  as  op- 
posed to  the  luxury  and  extravagance  of  Italy  and  the  city. 

Loctcm-mixtum.  Enallage  for  locus,  in  quo  mixta  erant,  etc.  H. 
704,  III.,  cf.  25 :  mixti  copiis  et  laetitia. — Bene  compositum  denotes 
a  happy  combination  of  the  elements,  of  which  mixtum  expresses 
only  the  co-existence. 

Acrius,  sc.  aequo  =  too  eagerly.  H.  444,  1 ;  A.  and  G.  93,  a ; 
Z.  104,  1,  note. 

.  Concessum-senatori.  Military  and  civil  studies  were  deemed 
more  appropriate  to  noble  Roman  youth  than  literature  and  philoso- 
phy. Literary  pursuits  were  encouraged,  only  so  far  as  they  could  be 
proved  to  be  practical,  of  immediate  application  in  political  life. 
Senatori  must  of  course  refer,  not  to  the  office  of  A,  but  to  his  rank 
by  birth,  cf.  senatorii  ordinis  above. 

ffausisse,  ni-coercnissct.  An  analysis  of  this  sentence  shows  that 
there  is  an  ellipsis  of  hausunim  fuisse :  he  imbibed,  and  would  have 
continued  to  imbibe,  had  not,  etc.  In  such  sentences,  which  abound 
in  T.,  but  are  rarely  found  in  Cic.,  ni  is  more  readily  translated  by 
but.  Cf.  Z.  519,  b;  and  note,  His.  3,  28.  For  the  application  of 


170  NOTES. 

haurire  to  the  eager  study  of  philosophy,  cf.  Hor.  Sat.  2,  4,  95  :  hau- 
rire  vitae  praecepta  beatae,  and  Note,  His.  1,  61 :  hauserunt  animo. 

Prudentia  matris.  So  Nero's  mother  deterred  him  from  the 
study  of  philosophy.  Suet.  Ner.  52. 

Pulchritudinem  etc  spcciem.     The  beautiful  image,  or  beau  ideal, 

by  hendiadys.   Cf.  Cic.  Or.  2  :  species  pulchritudinis.    See  Kit.  in  loc. 

VeJiementius  quam  caute.     For  vehemcntius  quam  cautius,  which 

is  the  regular  Latin  construction.     T.  uses  both.     Cf.  Z.  690,  and 

note,  His.  1,  83. 

Mox.     In  T.  subsequently,  not  presently.     R. 

Retinuitquc—modum.  And,  what  is  most  difficult,  lie  retained  from 
philosophy  moderation — moderation  in  all  things,  but  especially  in 
devotion  to  philosophy  itself,  •where  moderation  is  difficult  in  por- 
portion  to  the  excellence  of  the  pursuit,  as  was  shown  by  the  extrav- 
agance of  the  Stoics  and  some  other  Grecian  sects.  As  to  the  sense 
of  modum,  cf.  Hor.  Sat.  1,  1,  106 :  esl  modus  in  rebus  ;  and  for  the 
sentiment,  Hor.  Ep.  1,  6,  15  :  Insani  sapiens  nomenferat,  aequus  ini- 
qui,  ultra  quam  suds  est  virlutem  si  petat  ipsam. 

V.  Castrorum.  This  word  is  used  to  express  whatever  pertains 
to  military  life,  education,  etc.,  as  the  context  may  require.  Every 
Roman  youth  who  aspired  to  civil  office  must  have  had  a  military 
education. 

Diligenti  ac  moderato.  Careful  and  prudent,  cf.  our  author's 
character  of  the  same  commander,  His.  2,  25  :  cvnctator  natura,  etc. 

Approbavit  =  fecit,  ut  ei  probarentur.  Dr.  It  is  a  constructio 
praegnans.  He  obtained  the  first  rudiments  of  a  military  education 
under  Paullinus,  and  he  gained  his  approbation. 

Eleclus-aestimaret.  Having  been  chosen  as  one  whom  he  would 
estimate  (i.  e.  test  his  merit)  by  making  him  his  companion  and  aid. 
The  word  contubernium  lost  in  later  times  its  literal  meaning,  so  that 
they  could  properly  be  called  contubernales  without  really  living 
under  one  tent.  Cicero  even  applies  the  term  to  Caesar  and  Quiri- 
nus,  because  the  statue  of  the  former  stood  in  the  temple  of  the 
latter.  Young  men  of  rank  and  promise  were  thus  associated  with 
Roman  commanders.  Cf.  Suet.  Caes.  2.  T.,  as  usual,  avoids  the 
technical  way  of  expressing  the  relation.  Ad  verbum,  contubernium, 
cf.  note,  His.  1,  43.  Others  make  aestimaret  =  dignum  acstimarct, 
and  coniubcrnio  abl.  of  price.  Cf.  Diid.  and  Dr. 

Licentcr-scgniter,  sc.  agens.    Liccntcr  refers  to  voluptatcs,  segniter 


AGRICOLA.  171 

to  commealus. — Commcatus  —  furloughs,  absence  from  duty. — Insci- 
tiam,  sc.  tribunatus  =  ignorance  of  his  official  duty  or  inexperience  in 
war. — Retulit.  Rcferre  ad  is  used  very  much  like  the  corresponding 
English,  viz.  to  refer  to  an  object,  or  devote  to  an  end.  Sense  :  He 
did  not  take  advantage  of  his  official  standing  and  his  military  inex- 
perience, to  give  up  his  time  to  ease  and  pleasure.  Wr.  takes  rctulit 
in  the  more  ordinary  sense  of  brought  back,  thus :  A.  did  not  bring 
back  (to  Rome)  the  empty  name  of  Tribune  and  no  military  experi- 
ence, there  to  give  himself  up  to  leisure  and  pleasure.  The  former 
version  accords  better  with  the  language  of  the  whole  passage.  Wr. 
questions  the  authority  for  such  a  use  of  referre.  But  it  may  be 
found,  e.  g.  Plin.  Epist.  1,  22:  nihil  ad  ostentationem,  omnia  ad 
conscientiam  refert. 

Noscere-nosci,  etc.  T.  is  fond  of  such  a  series  of  inf.  depending 
on  some  one  finite  verb  understood,  and  hence  closely  connected 
with  each  other,  cf.  G.  30 :  praeponere,  etc.,  note.  Here  supply  from 
relulit  in  the  preceding  number  the  idea :  he  made  it  his  business  or 
aim  to  know,  etc.  The  author's  fondness  for  antithesis  is  very  ob- 
servable in  the  several  successive  pairs  here :  noscere-nosci ;  discere- 
sequi ;  appetere—recusarc  ;  anxius-intcntus. 

In  jactationem.  Al.  jactatione.  In  denoting  the  object  or  pur- 
pose, Z.  314:  he  coveted  no  appointment  for  the  sake  of  display  ;  he 
declined  none  through  fear. 

Anxius  and  intentus  qualify  agere  like  adverbs,  cf.  R.  Exc.  23,  1. 
He  conducted  himself  both  with  prudence  and  with  energy. 

Exercitatior  =  agitatior.  So  Cic.  Som.  Scip.  4 :  agitatus  et  exer- 
citatus  animus;  and  Hor.  Epod.  9,  31 :  Syrtes  Noto  exercitatas. 

Inccnsac  coloniae.  Camalodunum,  Londiniutn,  and  Yerulamium. 
Cf.  Ann.  14,  33,  where,  however,  the  historian  does  not  expressly 
say  the  last  two  were  burned.  The  first  of  these  seems  to  have 
been  the  only  Colonia.  The  veterans  were  established  there  A.  D. 
43,  by  Claudius.  The  place  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Britons,  in  the 
revolt  of  Boadicea. 

In  ambiguo  =  ambigua,  in  a  critical  state.     R. 

Alterius,  sc.  ducis. — Artem  et  usum.   Military  science  and  experience. 

Summa  .  .  .  cessit.  The  general  management  (cf.  notes,  H.  1, 
87.  2,  16.  33)  and  the  glory  of  recovering  the  province  went  to  the  gen- 
eral (to  his  credit).  The  primary  meaning  of  cedere  is  to  go.  See 
Freund  sub  v. — Juveni,  sc.  A. 


172  NOTES. 

Turn,  sc.  while  veterani  trucidarentur,  etc. — Mox,  sc.  when  Paul- 
linus  and  A.  came  to  the  rescue. 

Nee  minus,  etc.    A  remark  worthy  of  notice,  and  too  often  true. 

VI.  Magistratus.  The  regular  course  of  offices  and  honors  at 
Rome. 

Per-anteponendo.  Enallage,  cf.  G.  15,  note.  Per  here  denotes 
manner,  rather  than  means  (cf.  per  lamcnta,  28) ;  and  anleponcndo 
likewise  =  anteponentes.  R.  Render:  mutually  loving  and  prefer- 
ring one  another. — Nisi  quod  =  but.  Cf.  ni,  4.  There  is  an  ellipsis 
before  nisi  quod,  which  R.  would  supply  thus :  greatly  to  the  credit 
of  both  parties — but  more  praise  belongs  to  the  good  wife,  etc.  Major, 
sc.  quam  in  bono  viro.  So  after  plus  supply  quam  in  malo  viro : 
But  more  praise  belongs  to  a  good  wife,  than  to  a  good  husband,  by 
as  much  as  more  blame  attaches  to  a  bad  wife,  than  to  a  bad  husband. 

Sors  quaesturae.  The  Quaestors  drew  lots  for  their  respective 
provinces.  Their  number  increased  with  the  increase  of  the  empire, 
till  from  two  they  became  twenty  or  more.  As  at  first  a  Quaestor 
accompanied  each  Consul  at  the  head  of  an  army,  so  afterwards  each 
Proconsul,  or  Governor  of  a  province,  had  his  Quaestor  to  collect 
and  disburse  the  revenues  of  the  province.  The  Quaestorship  was 
the  first  in  the  course  of  Roman  honors.  It  might  be  entered  upon 
at  the  age  of  twenty-four. 

Salvium  Titianum.  Brother  of  the  Emperor  Otho.  See  His. 
B.  1  and  2,  pass.  For  the  office  of  Proconsul,  etc.,  see  note,  His. 
1,49. 

Parata  peccantibus.  Ready  for  wicked  rulers,  i.  e.  affording  great 
facilities  for  extortion  in  its  corrupt  and  servile  population.  Paratus 
with  a  dat.  of  the  thing,  for  which  there  is  a  preparation,  is  peculiar 
to  poetry  and  post-Augustan  prose.  Cf.  Freund  ad  v.  Ad  rem.  cf. 
Cic. Epist.  ad  Quint.  1, 1,  6 :  tarn  corruptrice  provincia,  sc.  Asia;  and 
pro  Mur.  9. 

Quantalibet  facilitate.    Any  indulgence  (license)  however  great. 

Redempturus  essct.  Subj.  in  the  apodosis  answering  to  a  protasis 
understood,  sc.  if  A.  would  have  entered  into  the  plot.  Cf.  H.  486 ; 
A.  and  G.  311.  Observe  the  use  of  csset  rather  thtmfuissct  to  denote 
what  the  proconsul  would  have  been  ready  to  do  at  any  time  during 
their  continuance  in  office.  Cf.  Wr.  in  loc. 

Dissimulationem.  Concealment  (of  what  is  true) ;  simulatio,  on 
the  other  hand,  is  an  allegation  of  what  is  false. 


AGRICOLA.  173 

Audits  cst  filia.  So  Cic.  ad  Att.  1,  2:  filiolo  mo  auctum 
scito. 

Ante  sublatum.  Previously  born.  For  this  use  of  sublatum,  see 
Lexicon. — Brcvi  atnisit,  he  lost  shortly  after  ;  though  R.  takes  amisit 
as  perf.  for  plup.,  and  renders  lost  a  short  time  before. 

Max  inter,  etc.,  sc.  annum  inter,  supplied  from  etiam  ipsum  .  .  , 
annum  below. 

Jurisdidm.  For  the  administration  of  justice  in  private  cases  had 
not  fallen  to  his  lot.  Only  two  of  the  twelve  or  fifteen  Praetors,  viz. 
the  Praetor  Urbanus  (see  note  H.  1,  47)  and  the  Praetor  Peregrinus 
(who  judged  between  foreigners  aad  citizens)  were  said  to  exercise 
jurisdictio.  The  adjudication  of  criminal  causes  was  called  quaestio, 
which  was  now  for  the  most  part  in  the  hands  of  the  Senate  (Ann.  4, 
6),  from  whom  it  might  be  transferred  by  appeal  to  the  Praefect  of 
the  City  or  the  Emperor  himself.  The  Praetors  received  the  juris- 
didio or  the  quacstio  by  lot;  and  in  case  the  former  did  not  fall  to 
them,  the  office  was  almost  a  sinecure ;  except  that  they  continued 
to  preside  over  the  public  games.  See  further,  on  the  name  and 
office  of  Praetor,  His,  1,  47,  note.  For  the  plup.  in  obvcnerat,  see 
note,  4 :  abnuerat. 

Et  =  et  omniuo.  The  games  and  in  general  the  pageantry  of  office 
(inania  honoris)  expected  of  the  Praetor.  Observe  the  use  of  the 
neuter  plural  of  the  adj.  for  the  subst.,  of  which,  especially  before  a 
gen.,  T.  is  peculiarly  fond. 

Media  rationis.  The  text  is  doubtful.  The  MSS.  vacillate  be- 
tween medio  rationis  and  modo  rationis  ;  and  the  recent  editions,  for 
the  most  part,  follow  a  third  but  wholly  conjectural  reading,  viz. 
modcrationis.  The  sense  is  the  same  with  either  reading :  He 
conducted  the  games  and  the  empty  pageantry  of  office  in  a  happy 
mean  (partaking  at  once)  of  prudence  and  plenty.  See  Freund  ad 
•duco. 

Uti-propior.  As  far  from  luxury,  so  (in  the  same  proportion) 
nearer  to  glory,  L  e.  the  farther  from  luxury,  the  nearer  to  glory. 
€f.  Freund  ad  uti. 

Longe-propio;\     Enallage  of  the  adv.  and  adj.,  cf,  G.  18:  extra. 

Ne  scnsisset.  Would  not  have  felt,  etc.,  i.  e.  he  recovered  all  the 
plundered  offerings  of  the  temple,  but  those  which  had  been  sacri- 
legiously taken  away  by  Nero  for  the  supply  of  his  vicious  pleasures. 
This  explanation  supposes  a  protasis  understood,  or  rather  implied 


174  NOTES. 

in  quam  Ncronis.  Cf.  H.  603,  2.  2);  A.  and  G.  310,  a.  The  plup. 
subj.  admits  perhaps  of  another  explanation,  the  subj.  denoting  the 
end  with  a  view  to  which  Agricola  labored  (H.  492,  1;  Z.  549),  and 
the  plup.  covering  all  the  past  down  to  the  time  of  his  labors  :  he 
labored  that  the  republic  might  not  have  experienced,  and  he  virtu- 
ally effected  that  it  had  not  experienced,  since  he  restored  everything 
to  its  former  state,  the  plunder  of  Nero  alone  excepted.  See  Wr. 
and  Or.  in  loc.  Perhaps  this  would  not  be  an  unexampled  praeg- 
nantia  for  Tacitus.  For  sentire  in  the  sense  of  experiencing,  es- 
pecially evil,  see  Hor.  Od.  2,  7,  10,  and  other  examples  in  Freund 
sub  V. 

VII.  Classis  Othoniana.  Ad  rem.  cf.  His.  2,  12,  seqq. — Liccntcr 
vaga.  Roaming  in  quest  of  plunder. — Jntemelios.  A  region  on  the 
coast  just  east  of  modern  Nice. — In  praediis  suis.  On  her  own 
estates.  Praedia  includes  both  lands  and  buildings. 

Ad  solemnia  pietatis.     To  perform  the  last  offices  of  filial  affection. 

Nuntio  deprehensus.  Supply  est,  cf.  4 :  jussus.  Was  overtaken 
unexpectedly  by  the  news  of  Vespasian's  claim  (nomination)  to  the 
throne. — Affectati.  Cf.  note,  G.  28. — In  paries,  to  his  (Vesp.)  party. 

Principatus,  sc.  Vespasiani. — Mucianus  regebat.  Vesp.  was  de- 
tained in  Egypt  for  some  time  after  his  troops  had  entered  Rome 
under  Mucianus ;  meanwhile  Mucianus  exercised  all  the  imperial 
power,  cf.  His.  4,  11.  39:  vis  penes  Mucianum  erat. 

Juvcne-usurpante.  Dom.  was  now  eighteen  years  old,  cf.  His.  4, 
2 :  nondumad  curas  intentus,  sed  stupris  el  adultcriis  fUium principis 
agcbat. 

Is,  sc.  Mucianus. — Vicesimae  legioni.  One  of  three  legions,  at 
that  tune  stationed  in  Britain,  which  submitted  to  the  government 
of  Vesp.  tarde  and  non  sine  motu  (His.  3,  44). 

Deccssor.     Predecessor.     It  was  Roscius  Coelius.     His.  1,  60. 

Legatu-consularibus.  Governors  or  Proconsuls.  The  provinces 
were  governed  by  men  who  had  been  consuls  (consulares) ;  and  as 
Icgalus  meant  any  commissioned  officer,  these  were  distinguished  as 
legati  consulares.  With  reference  to  this  consular  authority,  the 
same  were  called  proconsules.  Cf.  note,  H.  1,  49.  Trebellius  Maxi- 
mus  and  Vettius  Bolanus  are  here  intended.  Cf.  16  and  His.  1,  60. 
2,65.  Nimia  =  justo  potcntior.  Dr. 

Lcgatus  practorius  —  legaius  Icgionis,  commander  of  the  legion, 
Cf.  note,  His.  1,  7.  Here  the  same  person  as  deccssor. 


AGRICOLA.  175 

Invcnisse  quam  fecisse,  etc.,  involves  a  maxim  of  policy  worth 
noting. 

VIII.  Placidius.     With  less  energy.     See  more  of  Bolanus  at 
close  of  16. 

Dignum  est.  A  general  remark,  applicable  to  any  such  prov- 
ince. Hence  the  present,  for  which  some  would  substitute  erat  or 
essct. 

Ne  incresceret,  sc.  ipse :  lest  lie  should  become  too  great,  i.  e.  rise 
above  his  superior,  and  so  excite  his  jealousy.  Referred  by  W.  to 
ardorem  for  its  subject.  But  then  ne  incresceret  would  be  superfluous. 

Consularem,  sc.  Legatum  =  Governor,  cf.  7,  note. 

Pelilius  Cerialis.     Cf.  17.     Ann.  14,  32.     His  4,  68. 

Habuerunt-excmplorum.  Had  room  for  exertion  and  so  for  setting 
a  good  example,  cf.  Ann.  13,  8 :  videbaturque  locus  virtutibus  pate- 
factus.  The  position  of  habuerunt  is  emphatic,  as  if  he  had  said : 
then  had  virtues,  etc.  See  Kit.  in  loc. 

Communicabat,  sc.  cum.  A. — Ex  evenlu,  from  the  event,  i.  e.  in 
consequence  of  his  success. 

In  suamfamam.     Cf.  in  jactationcm,  5,  note. 

Extra  gloriam  is  sometimes  put  for  sine  gloria,  especially  by  the 
late  writers.  His.  1,  49  :  extra  vitia.  Hand's  Turs.  2,  679. 

IX.  Revcrlcn'em,  etc.     Returning  from  his  command  in  Britain. 
—Divus.     Cf.  notes,  G.  28 ;  His.  2,  33. 

Vesp.-ascivit.  By  virtue  of  his  office  as  Censor,  the  Emperor 
claimed  the  right  of  elevating  and  degrading  the  rank  of  the  citizens. 
Inasmuch  as  the  families  of  the  aristocracy  always  incline  to  run  out 
and  become  extinct,  there  was  a  necessity  for  an  occasional  re-supply 
of  the  patrician  from  the  plebeian  ranks,  e.  g.  by  Julius  Caesar,  Au- 
gustus, and  Claudius  (Ann.  11,  25),  as  well  as  by  Vespasian  (Aur. 
Vic.  Caes.  9 ;  Suet.  9). — Provinciae-praeposuit.  Aquitania  was  one 
of  seven  provinces,  into  which  Augustus  distributed  Gaul,  and  which, 
with  the  exception  of  Narbonne  Gaul,  were  all  subject  to  the  imme- 
diate disposal  and  control  of  the  Emperor  himself.  It  was  the 
southwestern  part  of  Gaul,  being  enclosed  by  the  Rhone,  the  Loire, 
the  Pyrenees,  and  the  Atlantic. 

Splcndidac-destinarat.  A  province  of  the  first  importance  both  in 
its  government  (in  itself  considered),  and  the  prospect  of  the  consul- 
ship, to  which  he  (Vesp.)  had  destined  him  (A.),  sc.  as  soon  as  his 
office  should  have  expired. 


176  NOTES. 

Subtilitatcm  =  calliditatcm,  nice  discernment,  discrimination. — 
JExerccat.  Observe  the  subj.  to  express  the  views  of  others,  not  of 
the  author.  H.  531 ;  A.  and  G.  336;  Z.  5Y1. 

Secura-agens.  Requiring  less  anxious  thought  and  mental  acu- 
men, and  p roceeding  more  by  physical  force.  Secura  =  minus  anxia, 
Cf.  note,  His.  1,  1.  Obtusior  =  minus  acuta. 

Togatos.  Civilians  in  distinction  from  military  men,  like  A. 
The  toga  was  the  dress  of  civil  life  to  some  extent  in  the  provinces 
(cf.  21,  His.  2,  20),  though  originally  worn  only  in.  Some,  (Beck, 
Gall.,  Exc.  Sc.  8.) 

Remissionumque.  The  Greeks  and  Romans  both  used  the  pi.  of 
many  abstracts,  of  which  we  use  only  the  sing.  For  examples  see 
R.  Exc.  4.  For  the  principle  cf.  Z.  92, 

Curarum-divisi.  This  clause  means  not  merely  that  his  time  was 
divided  between  business  and  relaxation,  but  that  there  was  a  broad 
line  of  demarcation  between  them,  as  he  proceeds  to  explain.  Divisa 
=  diversa  inter  se.  Dr.  So  Virg.  Georg.  2,  116  :  divisae  arboribus 
patriae  =  countries  are  distinguished  from  each  other  by  their  trees. 
Jam  vero.  Cf.  note,  G.  14, 

Conventus,  sc.  juridici  =  courts.  The  word  designates  also  the 
districts  in  which  the  courts  were  held,  and  into  which  each  province 
was  divided.  Cf.  Smith's  Diet,  of  Ant. :  Conventus.  So  Pliny  (N. 
H.  3,  3.)  speaks  of  juridici  conventus.  Tacitus,  as  usual,  avoids  the 
technical  designation. 

Ultra.  Adv.  for  adj.,  cf.  longc,  6. — Persona.  1.  A  mask  (per 
and  sono).  2.  Outward  show,  as  here, 

Tristitiam-cxueral.  Some  connect  this  clause  by  zeugma  with 
the  foregoing.  But  with  a  misapprehension  of  the  meaning 
of  exucrat,  which  =  was  entirely  free  from ;  lit.  had  divested 
himself  of.  Thus  understood,  the  clause  is  a  general  remark 
touching  the  character  of  A.,  in  implied  contrast  with  other  men 
or  magistrates  with  whom  those  vices  were  so  common.  So  in 
Ann.  6,  25,  Agrippina  is  said  to  have  divested  herself  of  vices 
(vitia  exuerat)  which  were  common  among  women,  but  which  never 
attached  to  her1. 

Facilitas.    Opposed  to  sevcritas  =  kindness,  indulgence. 

Abstinentiam.  This  word,  though  sometimes  denoting  temper- 
ance in  food  and  drink,  more  properly  refers  to  the  desire  and  use 
of  money.  Abstinentia  is  opposed  to  avarice,  CQntine»&a  to  sensual 


AGRICOLA.  177 

pleasure.  Cf.  Plin.  Epis.  6,  8 :  alieni  abstinentissimus.  Here  ren- 
der honesty,  integrity. 

Cui-indulgent.  See  the  same  sentiment,  His.  4,  6 :  quando  etiam 
sapientibus  cupido  gloriae  novisshna  exuitur. 

Ostcntanda-artcm,  cf.  6:  pcr-antcponendo  ;  also  G.  15,  note. 

Collegas.  The  governors  of  other  provinces.  The  word  means 
chosen  together  ;  hence  either  those  chosen  at  the  same  election  or 
those  chosen  to  the  same  office.  Cf.  H.  1,  10. 

Procuratores.  There  was  but  one  at  a  time  in  each  province. 
There  may  have  been  several,  however,  in  succession,  while  A.  was 
Proconsul.  Or  we  may  understand  both  this  clause  and  the  preced- 
ing, not  of  his  government  in  Aquitania  in  particular,  but  as  a  gen- 
eral fact  in  the  life  of  A.  So  E.  For  the  office,  see  note,  4 ;  and  for 
an  instance  of  a  quarrel  between  the  Procousul  and  the  Procurator, 
Ann.  14,  38. 

Atteri  =  vinci  as  the  antithesis  shows,  though  with  more  of 
the  implication  of  dignity  impaired  (worn  off)  by  conflict  with 
inferiors. 

Minus  tricnnium.  Quam  omitted.  See  H.  41*7,  3 ;  A.  and  G. 
247,  c ;  Z.  485. 

Comitante  opinionc.  A  general  expectation  attending  him,  as  it 
were,  on  his  return. 

Nullis  sermonibus.     Ablative  of  cause. 

Elegit.     Perf.  to  denote  what  has  in  fact  taken  place. 

X.  In  comparaiionem.     Cf.  in  suam  famam,  8,  note. 

Perdomita  est.     Completely  subdued. 

Rcrumjide  =  faithfully  and  truly  ;  lit.  with  fidelity  to  facts. 

Britannia.  It  has  generally  been  supposed  (though  Gesenius  de- 
nies it  in  his  Phenician  Palaeography)  that  Britain  was  known  to  the 
Phenicians,  those  bold  navigators  and  enterprising  merchants  of  an- 
tiquity, under  the  name  of  the  Cassiterides,  or  Tin  Islands.  Greek 
authors  make  early  mention  of  Albion  (plural  of  Alp  ?)  and  lerne 
(Erin)  as  British  Islands.  Bochart  derives  the  name  (Britain)  from 
the  Phenician  or  Hebrew  Baratanac,  "  the  Land  of  Tin  ; "  others 
from  the  Gallic  Britti,  Painted,  in  allusion  to  the  custom  among  the 
inhabitants  of  painting  their  bodies.  But  according  to  the  Welsh 
Triads,  Britain  derived  its  name  from  Prydain,  a  king,  who  early 
reigned  in  the  island.  Cf.  Turner's  His.  Aug.  Sax.  1,  2,  seqq.  The 
geographical  description,  which  follows,  cannot  be  exonerated  from 


178  NOTES. 

the  charge  of  verbiage  and  grandiloquence.     T.  wanted  the  art  of 
saying  a  plain  thing  plainly. 

Spatio  ac  coclo.  Brit,  not  only  stretches  out  or  lies  over  against 
these  several  countries  in  situation,  but  it  approaches  them  also  in 
climate :  a  circumstance  which  illustrates  the  great  size  of  the  island 
(cf.  maxima,  above),  and  prepares  the  way  for  the  description  of  both 
below. 

Germaniae  and  Hispaniae  are  dat.  after  obtenditur.  The  mistaken 
notion  of  the  relative  position  of  Spain  and  Britain  is  shared  with  T. 
by  Caesar  (B.  G.  13),  Dion  (39,  50).  and  indeed  by  the  ancients  in 
general.  It  is  so  represented  in  maps  as  late  as  Richard  of  Ciren- 
cester.  Cf.  Prichard,  III.  3,  9. 

Etiam  inspicitur.  It  is  even  seen  by  the  Gauls,  implying  nearer 
approach  to  Gaul,  than  to  Germany  or  Spain.  Gallis,  dative.  The 
dative  with  the  passive  in  place  of  the  usual  ablative,  with  a  or  ab, 
is  a  favorite  construction  with  Cicero,  and  occurs  in  Tacitus's  writ- 
ings repeatedly.  Thirty  instances  are  referred  to  by  Draeger  in  hia 
Syntax  und  Stil  des  Tacitus. 

Nullis-terris.  Abl.  abs.,  contra  taking  the  place  of  the  part.,  or 
rather  limiting  a  part,  understood. 

Livius.    In  his  105th  Book ;  now  lost,  except  in  the  Epitome. 

Fabius  Ruslicus.  A  friend  of  Seneca,  and  writer  of  history  in 
the  age  of  Claudius  and  Nero. 

Oblongae  scutulae.     Geometrically  a  trapezium. 

Et  est  ea  fades.  And  such  is  the  form,  exclusive  of  Caledonia, 
whence  the  account  has  been  extended  also  to  the  whole  Island. 

Sed-tenuatur.  But  a  vast  and  irregular  extent  of  lands  jutting 
out  here  (jam,  cf.  note,  G.  44)  on  this  remotest  shore  (i.  e.  widening 
out  again  where  they  seemed  already  to  have  come  to  an  end)  is 
narrowed  down  as  it  were  into  a  wedge.  The  author  likens  Caledonia 
to  a  wedge  with  its  apex  at  the  Friths  of  Clyde  and  Forth,  and  its 
base  widening  out  on  either  side  into  the  ocean  beyond.  Enormis 
is  a  post-Augustan  word.  Novissimi  =.  extreme,  remotest.  G.  24, 
note, 

Affirmavit.  Established  the  fact,  hitherto  supposed,  but  not  fully 
ascertained.  This  was  done  in  Agricola's  last  campaign  in  Britain, 
cf.  38. 

Orcadas.  The  Orkneys.  Their  name  occurs  earlier  than  this, 
but  they  were  little  known. 


AGRICOLA.  179 

Dispccta  est.  Was  seen  through  the  mist,  as  it  were ;  discovered 
in  the  distance  and  obscurity.  Cf.  note,  H.  4,  55  :  dispecturaa  Gal- 
lias,  etc. 

Thule.  Al.  Thyle.  What  island  T.  meant  is  uncertain.  It  has 
been  referred  by  different  critics  to  the  Shetland,  the  Hebrides,  and 
even  to  Iceland.  The  account  of  the  island,  like  that  of  the  sur- 
rounding ocean,  is  obviously  drawn  from  the  imagination. 

Nam  hactemts,  etc.  For  their  orders  were  to  proceed  thus  far 
only,  and  (besides)  winter  was  approaching.  Cf.  hactcnus,  G.  25,  and 
appctere,  Ann.  4,  51 :  appetcnte  jam  luce.  The  editions  generally 
have  nix  instead  ofjussum.  But  Rit.  and  Or.  with  reason  follow  the 
oldest  and  best  MSS.  in  the  reading  jussiim,  which  with  the  slight 
and  obvious  amendment  of  nam  for  quam  by  Rit.  renders  this  ob- 
scure and  vexed  passage  at  length  easy  and  clear. 

Pigrum  et  grave.  See  a  similar  description  of  the  Northern 
Ocean,  G.  45,  and  note :  pigrum  ac  prope  immotum.  The  modern 
reader  need  not  be  informed  that  this  is  an  entire  mistake  as  to  the 
matter  of  fact;  those  seas  about  Britain  are  never  frozen;  though 
the  navigators  in  this  voyage  might  easily  have  magnified  the  perils 
and  hardships  of  their  enterprise  by  transferring  to  these  waters 
what  they  had  heard  of  those  farther  north. 

Perinde.  Al.  proinde.  These  two  forma  are  written  indiscrim- 
inately in  the  old  MSS.  The  meaning  of  ne  perinde  here  is  not  so 
much,  sc.  as  other  seas.  Cf.  note,  G.  5. 

Ne  ventis-altolli.  Directly  the  reverse  of  the  truth.  Those  seas 
are,  in  fact,  remarkably  tempestuous. 

Quod-impeUitur.  False  philosophy  to  explain  a  fictitious  phe- 
nomenon, as  is  too  often  the  case  with  the  philosophy  of  the  an- 
cients, who  little  understood  natural  science,  cf.  the  astronomy  of  T. 
in  12. 

Neque-ac.  Correlatives.  The  author  assigns  two  reasons  why 
he  does  not  discuss  the  subject  of  the  tides:  1.  It  does  not  suit  the 
design  of  his  work ;  2.  The  subject  has  been  treated  by  many  others, 
c.  g.  Strab.  3,  5,  11 ;  Plin.  N.  H.  2,  99,  etc. 

Multum  jluminum.  Mvltum  is  the  object  of  ferre,  of  which 
mare  is  the  subject,  as  it  is  also  of  all  the  infinitives  in  the  sentence. 
Jluminum  is  not  rivers,  but  currents  among  the  islands  along  the 
shore. 

Nee  littore  tenus,  etc.     "  The  ebbings  andflowings  of  the  tide  are 


180  NOTES. 

not  confined  to  the  shore,  but  the  sea  penetrates  into  the  heart  of 
the  country,  and  works  its  way  among  the  hills  and  mountains,  as 
in  its  native  bed."  Ky.  A  description  very  appropriate  to  a 
coast  so  cut  up  by  estuaries,  and  highly  poetical,  but  wanting  in 
simplicity. 

Juffis  etiam  ac  montibus.  Jugis,  cf.  G.  43.  Ac.  Atque  in  the 
common  editions.  But  ac,  besides  being  more  frequent  before  a 
consonant,  is  found  in  the  best  MSS. 

XI.  Indigenae  an  advecti.     Cf.  note,  G.  2 :  indigenas. 

Ut  inter  barbaros,  sc.  fieri  solet.  Cf.  ut  in  licentia,  G.  2  ;  and  ut 
inter  Germanos,  G.  30. 

Rutilae-asseverant.  Cf.  the  description  of  the  Germans,  G.  4. 
The  inhabitants  of  Caledonia  are  of  the  same  stock  as  the  other 
Britons.  The  conclusion,  to  which  our  author  inclines  below,  viz, 
that  the  Britons  proceeded  from  Gaul,  is  sustained  by  the  authority 
of  modern  ethnologists.  The  original  inhabitants  of  Britain  are 
found,  both  by  philological  and  historical  evidence,  to  have  belonged 
to  the  Celtic  or  Cimmerian  stock,  which  once  overspread  nearly  the 
whole  of  central  Europe,  but  were  overrun  and  pushed  off  the  stage 
by  the  Gothic  or  German  tribes,  and  now"  have  their  distinct  repre- 
sentatives only  in  the  Welsh,  the  Irish,  the  Highland  Scotch,  and  a 
few  similar  remnants  of  a  once  powerful  race  in  the  extreme  west  of 
the  continent  and  the  islands  of  the  sea. 

S'durum.    The  people  of  Wales. 

Colorati  mdtus.  Dark  complexion.  So  with  the  poets,  colorati 
Indi,  Seres,  Etrusci,  etc. 

Hispania.     Nora,  subject  of  faciunt,  with  crines,  etc. 

Iberos.  Properly  a  people  on  the  Iberus  (Ebro),  who  gave  their 
name  to  the  whole  Spanish  Peninsula.  They  belonged  to  a  different 
race  from  the  Celtic,  or  the  Teutonic,  which  seems  once  to  have 
inhabited  Italy  and  Sicily,  as  well  as  parts  of  Gaul  and  Spain.  A 
dialect  is  still  spoken  hi  the  mountainous  regions  about  the  Bay  of 
Biscay,  and  called  the  Basque  or  Biscayan,  which  differs  from  any 
other  dialect  in  Europe.  Cf.  Prichard's  Physical  Researches,  vol. 
III.  chap.  2. 

Proximi  Gallis.  Cf.  Cae?.  B.  G.  5,  14 :  Ex  his  omnibus  longe 
sunt  humauissimi,  qui  Cuntium  (Kent)  incolunt,  quae  regio  est  ma- 
ritima  omnis,  neque  multum  a  Gallica  diffcrunt  consuctudine.  Et  — 
also :  those  nearest  tfie  Gauls  are  also  like  them. 


AGRICOLA.  181 

Duranie  vi.  Either  because  the  influence  of  a  common  origin  still 
continues,  etc. 

Procurrentibus-tcrris.  Or  because  their  territories  running  out 
towards  one  another,  literally,  in  opposite  directions,  Britain  towards 
the  south  and  Gaul  towards  the  north,  so  as  to  approach  each  other. 
See  Hit.,  Dcid.  in  loc.,  and  Freund  ad  diversus. 

Positio-dedit.  The  idea  of  similarity  being  already  expressed  in 
similes,  is  understood  here :  their  situation  in  the  same  climate  (coelo) 
has  given  them  the  same  personal  appearance. 

Aeslimanti.    Indef.  dat.  after  credibile  est,  cf.  note,  G.  6. 

Eorum  refers  to  the  Gauls.  You  (indef.  subject,  cf.  quiescas,  G. 
36)  may  discover  the  religion  of  the  Gauls  (among  the  Britons)  in 
their  full  belief  of  the  same  superstitions.  So  Caes.  B.  G.  6,  13 : 
disciplina  in  Britannia  reperta  atque  inde  in  Galliam  translata  esse 
existimatur ;  and  he  adds  that  those  who  wished  to  gain  a  more  per- 
fect knowledge  of  the  Druidical  system  still  went  from  Gaul  to  Britain 
to  learn.  Sharon  Turner  thinks  the  system  must  have  been  intro- 
duced into  Britain  from  the  East  (perhaps  India)  by  the  Phenicians, 
and  thence  propagated  in  Gaul.  His.  Ang.  Sax.,  B.  1,  chap.  5. 
Welsh  tradition  suggests  that  it  came  with  the  Kymri  from  the  East. 

Supcrstitionum.  The  Romans  gave  this  name  to  all  forms  of 
faith  not  recognized  by  themselves. 

Persuasione.  See  the  same  use  of  the  word,  His.  5,  5 :  eademque 
de  infernis  pcrsuasio. 

In-periculis.  The  same  sentiment  is  expressed  by  Caesar  (B.  G. 
3,  19). 

Ferociae.    In  a  good  sense,  courage,  cf.  31 :  virtus  ac  ferocia. 

Praefenmt  =  prae  se  ferunt,  i.  e.  exhibit. 

Ut  quos.  Ut  qui,  like  qui  alone,  is  followed  by  the  subj.  to  ex- 
press a  reason  for  what  precedes.  It  may  be  rendered  by  because 
or  since  with  the  demonstrative.  So  quippe  cui  placuisset,  18.  Cf. 
Z.  565 ;  H.  519,  3 ;  A.  and  G.  320,  e. 

Gallos  Jloruisse.     Cf.  G.  28. 

Otio.  Opposed  to  belli*,  peace. — Amissa  virtute.  Abl.  abs.  de- 
noting an  additional  circumstance.  Cf.  2 :  cxpulsis-profcssoribus, 
note. —  Olim  limits  metis. 

XII.  Honcstior.  The  more  honorable  (i.  e.  the  man  of  rank)  is 
the  c/iariolecr,  his  dependents  fight  (on  the  chariot).  The  reverse  was 
true  in  the  Trojan  War. 


182  NOTES. 

Factionibus  trahuriur  =  distrahuntur  in  factiones.  T.  is  fond  of 
using  simple  for  compound  verbs.  See  note,  22  ;  also  numerous  ex- 
amples in  the  Index  to  Notes  on  the  Histories. 

Civitatibus.  Dat.  for  gen. — Pro  nobis.  Abl.  with  prep,  for  dat. 
Euallage.  E. — Convcntus.  Convention,  meeting. 

Coelum-focdum.  The  fog  and  rain  of  the  British  Isles  are  still 
proverbial. — Dierum  spatia,  etc.  Cf.  Caes.  513.  The  days  in  Scot- 
land are  in  summer  three  or  four  hours  longer  than  in  Italy. 

Quod  si  =  and  if.  From  the  tendency  to  connect  sentences  by 
relatives  arose  the  use  of  quod  before  certain  conjunctions,  particu- 
larly si,  merely  as  a  copulative.  Cf.  Z.  807,  also  Freund  sub  v. 
The  fact  alleged  in  this  sentence  is  as  false  as  the  philosophy  by 
which  it  is  explained  in  the  next,  cf.  G.  45 :  in  ortus  note. 

Sdlicet-cadit.  This  explanation  proceeds  on  the  assumption  that 
night  is  caused  by  the  shadow  of  mountains,  behind  which  the  sun 
sets ;  and  since  these  do  not  exist  in  that  level  extremity  of  the 
earth,  the  sun  has  nothing  to  set  behind,  and  so  there  is  no  night. 
The  astronomy  of  T.  is  about  of  a  piece  with  his  natural  philosophy, 
cf.  10. — Extrema-terrarum.  Cf.  note,  6 :  inania  honoris. 

Non  criffunt,  lit.  do  not  elevate  the  darkness,  i.  e.  do  not  cast 
their  shadow  so  high  (infraque-cadit)  as  the  sky  and  the  stars ;  hence 
they  are  bright  (clara)  through  the  night ! !  Pliny  also  supposed 
the  heavens  (above  the  moon)  to  be  of  themselves  perpetually  lu- 
minous, but  darkened  at  night  by  the  shadow  of  the  earth.  N.  H.  2, 7. 

Praeter.  Beyond.  Hence  either  besides  or  except.  Here  the 
latter. — Fecundum.  More  than  patiens,  fruitful  even. — Proveniunt. 
Ang.  come  forward. 

Fert-aurum,  etc.  This  is  also  affirmed  by  Strabo,  4,  5,  2,  but 
denied  by  Cic.  ad  Att.  4,  16,  7,  and  ad  Div.  7,  7.  The  moderns  de- 
cide in  favor  of  T.  and  Strabo,  though  it  is  only  in  inconsiderable 
quantities  that  gold  and  silver  have  ever  .been  found  in  Britain. 

Margarita.  The  neuter  form  of  this  word  is  seldom  used,  never 
by  Cicero.  See  Freund  sub  v. 

Rubro  mari.  The  Red  Sea  of  the  Greeks  and  Romans  embraced 
both  the  Arabian  and  the  Persian  Gulfs ;  and  it  was  in  the  latter 
especially  that  pearls  were  found,  as  they  are  to  this  day.  Cf.  Plin. 
N.  H.  9,  54 :  praecipue  laudantur  (margaritae)  in  Persico  sinu  maris 
rubri.  For  an  explanation  of  the  name  (Ked  Sea),  see  Anthon's 
Classical  Dictionary. 


AGRICOLA.  183 

Expulsa  sint.  Cast  out,  i.  c.  ashore,  by  the  waves.  Subj.  in  a 
subordinate  clause  of  the  oratio  obliqua.  II.  531;  A.  and  G.  336; 
Z.  603. 

Naturam-avaritiam.  A  very  characteristic  sentence,  both  for 
its  antithesis  and  its  satire. 

XIII.  Ipsi  Britanni.  Ipsi  marks  the  transition  from  the  country 
to  the  people,  cf.  ipsos  Germanos.  G.  2. 

Injuncta  imperil  munwa.  This  refers  to  extra  contributions  in 
contradistinction  from  the  regular  tributa.  Obeunt  properly  applies 
only  to  muncra,  not  to  tributa  and  delectum,  which  would  require 
tolerant  or  some  kindred  verb.  Zeugma.  H.  704,  I.  2 ;  Z.  755. 

Tgitur  =  now.  In  the  first  sentence  of  the  section  the  author  has 
indicated  his  purpose  to  speak  of  the  people  of  Britain.  And  now  in 
pursuance  of  that  design,  he  goes  back  to  the  commencement  of  their 
history,  as  related  to  and  known  by  the  Komans.  Cf.  note,  G.  28. 

Divus.  Cf.  note,  G.  28 :  D.  Julius.  For  Julius  Caesar's  cam- 
paigns in  Britain,  see  Caes.  B.  G.  4,  21,  seq. ;  5,  5,  seq. ;  Strabo,  Lib. 
4,  etc.  He  made  two  expeditions. 

Consilium.  His  advice  (to  his  successor).  See  Ann.  1,  11. — 
Pracceptum.  A  command  (of  Augustus,  which  Tib.  affected  to  hold 
sacred).  Ann.  1,  77;  4,  37. 

C.  Caesarcm.  Caligula,  cf.  4,  note. — Agitasse,  etc.,  cf.  39.  His. 
4,  15 ;  Suet.  Calig.  44. 

Ni-fuissent.  Cf.  Ni,  4,  note.  The  ellipsis  may  be  supplied 
thus:  he  meditated  an  invasion  of  Brit.,  and  would  have  invaded  it 
had  he  not  been  vclox  ingenio,  etc.  But  in  idiomatic  Eng.  ni  =  but. 
Of  course  fuisset  is  to  be  supplied  with  velox  ingenio  and  mobilis  poe- 
nilentiae.  Al.  poenitentia.  But,  contrary  to  the  MSS.  Mobilis 
agrees  with  poenitentiae  (cf.  Liv.  31,  32:  celerem  poenitentiam), 
which  is  a  qualifying  gen.  H.  396,  iv. ;  A.  and  G.  215.  Lit.  of  re- 
pentance easy  to  be  moved.  Render :  fickle  of  purpose. 

Auctor  operis.  Auctor  fuit  rei  adversus  Britannos  gerendae  et 
feliciter  gestae.  Dr.  See  on  the  same  subject  Suet.  Claud.  17. — 
Assumpto  Vcspasiano,  cf.  Suet.  Vesp.  4.  H.  3,  44. 

Quod-fuit.  Vespasian's  participation  in  the  war  against  Brit. 
was  the  commencement  of  his  subsequent  brilliant  fortunes. 

Monstralus  fatis,  i.  e.  a  fatis,  by  {fie  fates.  The  expression  is  bor- 
rowed perhaps  from  Yirg.  Aen.  6,  870 :  Ostendent  terris  hunc  taiitum 
fata. 


184  NOTES. 

XIV.  Consularium.     Cf.  note  on  it,  8. — Aulus  Plautius.    Ann. 
13,  32;  Dio.  60,  19.     He  remained  four  years  in  Britain,  and  sub- 
dued the  southern  part  of  the  island.     He  was  highly  honored  by 
Claudius. — Ostorius  Scapula.     Ann.  12,  31-39.     He  was  the  con- 
queror of  Caractacus,  king  of  the  Silurae. — Proxima,  sc.  Romae. 

Veteranorum  colonia.  Camalodunum.  Ann.  12,  32.  Now  Col- 
chester.— Et  reges.  Kings  also,  i.  e.  besides  other  means. —  Ut 
vetere,  etc.  So  in  the  MSS.  and  earliest  editions.  Rhenanus  trans- 
ferred ut  to  the  place  before  haberet  which  it  occupies  in  the  com- 
mon editions.  But  no  change  is  necessary.  Render :  that  in  accord- 
ance with  their  established  custom,  the  Roman  people  might  have  kings 
also  as  the  instruments  of  reducing  (the  Britons)  to  slavery. 

Didius  Gallus.  Cf.  Ann.  12,  40:  arcere  hostem  satis  habebat. — 
Parta  a  prioribus.  The  acquisitions  (conquests)  of  his  predecessors. 

Audi  qfficii.  Of  enlarging  the  boundaries  of  his  government. 
Qffidum  is  used  in  a  like  sense,  Caes.  B.  C.  3,  5 :  Toti  officio  mari- 
timo  praepositus,  etc.  So  Wr. ;  Or.  and  Dod.  understand  by  it 
going  beyond  the  mere  performance  of  his  duty.  It  was  his  duty 
to  protect  his  province:  he  enlarged  it. — Quaereretur.  Subj.  in 
a  relative  clause  denoting  a  purpose.  H.  500;  A.  and  G.  317; 
Z.  567. 

Veranius.     Ann.  14,  29. — Paullinus.     Ann.  14,  29-30. 

Monam  insulam.  Now  Anglesey.  But  the  Mona  of  Caesar  is 
the  Isle  of  Man,  called  by  Pliny  Monapia.  The  Mona  of  T.  was  the 
chief  seat  of  the  Druids,  hence  ministrantem  vires  rebellibus,  for  the 
Druids  animated  and  led  on  the  Briton  troops  to  battle.  T.  has 
given  (Ann.  14,  30)  a  very  graphic  sketch  of  the  mixed  multitude  of 
armed  men,  women  like  furies,  and  priests  with  hands  uplifted  in 
prayer,  that  met  Paullinus  on  his  landing,  and,  for  a  time,  wellnigh 
paralyzed  his  soldiers  with  dismay.  In  the  same  connection  he 
speaks  also  of  the  human  sacrifices  and  other  barbarous  rites  which 
were  practised  by  our  Briton  fathers  in  honor  of  their  gods. 

XV.  Interpretando.     By  putting  their  own,  i.  e.  the  worst  construc- 
tion upon  them. 

Exfacili  =  facile.  A  frequent  form  of  expression  in  T.,  ad  Grac- 
corum  consuetudinem.  Dr.  See  R.  Exc.  24. 

Sinaulos-binos.  Distributives  =  one  for  each  tribe — two  for  each 
tribe. 

Acque-aeque.    Like  Greek  correlatives ;  alike  fatal  to  their  sub- 


AGRICOLA.  185 

jects  iu  either  case.  So  ofwlus  jueV  and  ofj&iws  8e,  Xen.  Mem.  1,  6, 
13;  Plat.  Symp.  181.  C. 

Alterius  manus  centuriones,  alterlus  servos.  This  is  the  reading 
of  the  latest  editions  (Dr.,  Wr.,  Or.,  and  R.),  and  the  best  MSS., 
though  the  MSS.  differ  somewhat :  Centurions,  the  hands  (instru- 
ments) of  the  one,  and  servants,  the  hands  of  the  other,  added  insult 
to  injury.  For  the  use  of  manus  in  the  above  sense,  reference  is 
made  to  Cic.  in  Ver.  2,  10,  27 :  Comites  illi  tui  delecti  manus  erant 
tuae.  So  the  centurions  of  the  legate  and  the  servants  of  the  procura- 
tor are  said  by  our  author  to  have  robbed  the  Briton  king  Prasuta- 
gus  of  his  kingdom  and  his  palace,  Ann.  14,  31,  which  is  the  best 
commentary  on  the  passage  before  us. 

Ab  iynavis.  By  the  feeble  and  cowardly.  Antithetic  tofortio- 
rem.  In  battle,  it  is  the  braver  that  plunders  us  ;  but  now  (it  is  a 
special  aggravation  of  our  sufferings,  that)  by  the  feeble  and  cowardly, 
etc.  So  in  contempt  they  call  the  veterans,  cf.  14 :  veteranorum  colo- 
nia  ;  32 :  senum  colonia. 

Tantum  limits  pro  patria  ;  as  if  it  was  for  their  country  only  they 
knew  not  how  to  die. 

Si  sese,  etc.,  i.  e.  in  comparison  with  their  own  numbers. 

Patriam-parentes,  sc.  causas  belli  esse. 

Recessisset.  Observe  the  subj.  in  the  subordinate  clauses  of  the 
oratio  obliqua  throughout  this  chapter.  H.  531 ;  A.  and  G.  336  ;  Z. 
603. 

Neve-pavescerent.  This  verb  would  have  been  an  imperative  in 
the  oratio  recta,  Z.  603,  c.  Neve  is  appropriate  either  to  the  imp.  or 
the  sub. 

XVI.  Instinct!,  i.  e.  furore  quodam  afflati.  Dr.  For  a  fuller  ac- 
count of  this  revolt,  see  Ann.  14,  31-38;  Dio.  62,  1-13. 

Eoudicca.  Wife  of  Prasutagus,  king  of  the  Iceui.  When  con- 
quered, she  ended  her  life  by  poison,  Ann.  14,  37. 

Expugnatis  praesidiis.  Having  stormed  the  fortresses.  The  force 
of  ex  in  this  word  is  seen  in  that  it  denotes  the  actual  carrying  of  a 
place  by  assault,  whereas  oppugnalus  only  denotes  the  assault  itself. 
So  eK-iro\iopKT)beis  =  taken  in  a  siege,  vo^opKij^eis  =  besieged. 

Ipsam  coloniam.  Cf.  note,  14  :  veteranorum  colonia.  The  Colo- 
nia was  selected  as  the  first  object  of  the  resentment  of  the  Britons, 
because  here  they  had  suffered  especial  wrong.  The  former  owners 
had  been  driven  from  their  homes  to  make  room  for  the  veterans. 


186  NOTES. 

In  barbaris  =  qualis  inter  barbaros  esse  solet.     R.  Exe.  25. 

Ira  ct  victoria.  Hendiadys.  Render :  Nor  did  they  in  the  excite- 
ment of  victory  omit,  etc.  So  Dr.,  R.,  and  Wr.  Ira  may,  however, 
refer  to  their  long-cherished  resentment.  Ira  causam,  victoria  facul- 
tatem  cxplendae  saevitiae  denotat.  Rit. — Quod  nisi.  And  had  not, 
etc.  Cf.  note,  12:  quod  si. 

Patientiae.  Most  Latin  authors  would  have  said :  ad  patientiam. 
Patientia  here  =  submission. 

Tenentibus-plerisque.  Though  many  still  retained,  i.  e.  did  not 
lay  down,  their  arms. 

Propius.  ALproprius.  But  that  is  purely  conjectural.  Adv. 
for  adj.,  cf.  ultra,  8 ;  longe,  6  =  propior,  like  the  propior  cura  of 
Ovid.  Metamor.  13,  578.  Render:  a  more  urgent  fear.  Some 
would  connect  propius  with  agilabat,  notwithstanding  its  remote 
position. 

JSuae  quoquc.    His  own  also,  as  well  as  that  of  the  Empire. 

Durius,  sc.  aequo.  H.  444,  I. ;  A.  and  G.  93,  a.  Cf.  4 :  acrius, 
note. 

Delictis-novus.  A  stranger  to  their  faults.  Cf.  Sil.  Ital.  6,  254: 
novusque  dolori.  Wr.  Cf.  Bot.  Lex.  Tac.  Dativus. 

Poenitentiae  mitior,  i.  e.  mitior  erga  poenitentiam,  or  facilior  erga 
poenitentes.  Poenitentiae  dat.  of  object. 

Compositis  prioribus.  Having  restored  things  to  their  former 
quiet  state. 

Nullis—experimentis.  Undertaking  no  military  expeditions.  Or. 
—  Castrorum.  Cf.  5,  note. 

Comitate—tenuit.  Retained  the  province  by  a  popular  manner  of 
administering  the  government.  Ky. — Curandi.  Note,  H.  1,  52. 

Ignoscere.  Properly  not  to  notice,  hence  to  -view  with  indulgence, 
to  indulge  in. 

Vitiis  blandientibus.  The  reference  is  to  the  luxurious  and  vi- 
cious pleasures  of  the  Romans,  which  enervated  the  Britons,  cf.  21, 
at  close,  where  the  idea  is  brought  out  more  fully. 

Civilium  armorum.  The  successive  wars  between  the  rival 
claimants  of  the  imperial  power :  Galba,  Otho,  Vitellius,  and  Vespa- 
sian. 

Discordia  laboratum.     There  was  mutiny  to  contend  against. 

Cum-lascivirct.     Cum  =  since.     Hence  the  subj. 

Precario.     Cf.  note,  G.  44. — Mox,  cf.  note  4. 


AGRICOLA.  187 

Velulpacti  implies  a  tacit  compact.  It  was  understood  between 
them  that  the  army  were  to  enjoy  their  liberty ;  the  general,  his  life. 
Supply  sunt  with  pacti.  Dod.  and  Wr.  supply  essent ;  but  they  read 
haec  for  et  before  seditio  contrary  to  the  best  MSS. 

Et  seditio.    Et  =  and  so.     AL  haec  seditio. 

Stetit.  Not  stopped,  but  stood,  as  in  our  phrase:  stood  them  in 
so  much.  So  Ovid :  Multo  sanguine — victoria  stetit.  And  T.  His.  3, 
53 :  Majore  damno — veteres  civium  discordias  reipublicae  stetisse. 
Render :  cost  no  blood.  Dr. 

Petulantia.     Insubordination. — Nisi  quod,  but,  c£  6. 

Bolanus.  If  the  reader  wishes  to  know  more  of  the  officers 
named  in  this  chapter,  for  Turpilianus,  see  Ann.  14,  39,  His.  1,  6 ; 
Trebellius,  His.  1,  60 ;  Bolanus,  Ann.  15,  3,  His.  2,  65,  79. 

Caritatem-auctoritatis.  Had  conciliated  affection  as  a  substitute 
'  for  authority.  Ky. 

XVII.  Recuperavit.  Al.  reeiperavit.  The  two  forms  are  written 
indiscriminately  in  the  MSS.  The  word  may  express  either  the  re- 
covery of  what  was  lost,  or  the  restoration  to  health  of  what  was 
diseased.  Either  would  make  a  good  sense  here.  Cf.  chap.  5  ;  also 
Cic.  Phil.  14,  13:  republica  recuperata.  Or.  renders  acquired  again, 
sc.  what  had  previously  belonged,  as  it  were,  to  him  rather  than  to 
the  bad  emperors  who  had  preceded  him. 

Fetilius  Cerialis.  Cf.  note,  8.  He  was  a  relative  of  Vespasian ; 
he  was  skilful,  but  rash. — Brigantum.  Cf.  H.  3,  45 ;  Ann.  12,  32. 
The  territory  embraced  Cumberland,  Westmoreland,  Lancashire, 
Durham,  and  Yorkshire. 

Aut  victoria  aut  bello,  i.  e.  either  received  their  submission  after 
the  victory,  or  involved  them  in  the  calamities  of  war.  Aut-aut  gen- 
erally adversative  =  either-or  on  the  contrary.  Vel-vel  only  dis- 
junctive =  whether-or.  Cf.  note  on  vel-vel,  G.  15. 

Altering.  Another  than  Julius  Frontinus,  i.  e.  by  implication, 
one  different  from  him,  less  brave  and  great.  Cf.  His.  2,  90:  tanquam 
apud  alterius  civitatis  senatum ;  3,  13,  note.  Alius  is  the  word 
usually  appropriated  to  express  this  idea.  Alter  generally  implies  a 
resemblance  between  contrasted  objects.  See  Freund,  ad  v. 

Obruisset-sustinuit.  These  words  primarily  refer  to  physical 
energies,  and  are  exactly  counterpart  =  crushed— sustained. 

Quantum  licebat  limits  vir  magnus:  as  great  a  man,  as  it  was 
permitted  him  to  be,  restricted  as  he  was  in  his  resources,  perhaps 
9 


188  NOTES. 

by  the  parsimony  or  jealousy  of  the  Emperor.  On  Julius  Frontinus, 
cf.  H.  4,  39.  He  was  the  friend  of  Pliny  the  Younger  (Plin.  Ep.  9, 
19),  and  therefore  probably  of  Tacitus.  His  books  on  Stratagems 
and  on  the  Aqueducts  of  Rome  are  still  extant. — Super,  over  and 
above,  i.  e.  besides. 

Ordovicum  civitas.  Situated  over  against  the  Island  Mona,  north 
of  the  Silures,  i.  e.  in  the  northern  part  of  what  is  now  Wales. 

Ad-vcrterentur.  Were  turning  themselves  (middle  sense)  towards, 
\.  e.  looking  to  or  for.  Occasionem.  An  opportunity,  sc.  to  attack 
the  Romans  in  their  security.  Al.  uterenttir. 

XVIII.  Agentem,  sc.  excubias  or  stationem  =  stationed  in,  cf. 
His.  1,  47:  copias,  quae  Lugduni  agebant.  Ala.  Cf.  note,  H.  1,  54. 

Oblriverat.     Had  suddenly  and  utterly  destroyed. 

Quibus-erat.  T/iey  who  wished  for  war.  Greek  idiom  for  qui 
bellum  volebant.  See  Kiihner's  Greek  Gram.  284,  10,  c. ;  cf.  His.  3, 
43 :  volentibus  fnit,  etc.,  and  note,  ibid.  In  Latin,  the  idiom  oc- 
curs chiefly  in  Sallust  and  T.  See  Z.  420 ;  H.  387,  3  ;  A.  and  G. 
235,  c. 

Ac-opperiri.  Al.  out  by  conjecture.  But  ac  =  ac  tamen,  and 
yet.  Cf.  Ann.  1,  36 :  exauetorari — ac  retincri  sub  vexillo. 

Transveda.  Al.  transacta.  Cf.  His.  2,  *76 :  abiit  et  transvectum 
est  tempus.  Only  T.  uses  the  word  in  reference  to  time. 

Numeri  =  cohortes  or  manipuli,  cf.  His.  1,6:  multi  numeri. 
This  use  of  the  word  is  post-Augustan.  Cf.  note,  His.  1,  6. 

Tarda  et  contraria.  In  appos.  with  the  foregoing  clauses  — 
circumstances  calculated  to  retard  and  oppose  him  in  commencing 
war. 

Plerisque,  sc.  of  the  inferior  officers.  They  thought  it  best  that 
those  parts  of  the  country  whose  fidelity  was  questionable  (suspecta) 
should  be  secured  by  garrisons  (custodiri).  Potius  is  an  adj.,  and 
goes  with  videbalur  =  it  seemed  preferable. 

Legionurn  vexillis.  Some  understand  this  of  veteran  soldiers  who 
had  served  out  their  time  (twenty  years),  but  were  still  sub  vexillis 
(not  dismissed).  So  R.  and  W.  Others  of  parts  of  the  legions  de- 
tached for  a  season  sub  vexillis  (under  separate  standards).  So 
Gronovius.  The  word  seems  to  be  used  in  both  senses.  See  note, 
H.  1,  31. 

In  acquum.  Into  the  plain.  Aequus,  prim,  level,  hence  aequor, 
sea. 


AGEICOLA.  189 

Erexit  aciem.  Led  his  troops  up  the  steep.  So  His.  3,  71 :  eri- 
gunt  aciein  per  adversum  collem. 

Ac-ceteris.  And  that  according  as  the  first  enterprises  went  (cf. 
note,  5 :  cessit),  would  be  the  terror  in  the  rest  of  his  engagements. 
Cf.  H.  2,  20:  ynarus,  ut  initia  belli  proveiiissent,  famam  in  cetera  fore. 
Al.  fore  universa. 

Possessione.  Taking  possession,  cf.  14.  A  possidere,  i.  e.  occu- 
pare,  non  a  possidere,  quod  est  occupatum  tenere.  Kit.  For  the 
abl.  without  a,  cf.  H.  2,  79 :  Syria  remeans. 

Ut  in  dubiis  consiliis,  sc.  fieri  solet.  Generals  are  not  apt  to  be 
prepared  beforehand  for  enterprises  not  contemplated  at  all  in  their 
original  plans. 

Auxiliarium.  It  is  conjectured  that  these  were  Batavians,  pre- 
pared for  this  exigency  by  their  familiarity  with  the  waters  of  the 
Rhine. 

Qui-expedabant.  Who  were  looking  out  for  (ex  and  specto)  a 
fleet,  for  ships,  in  a  word  for  the  sea,  i.  e.  naval  preparations  in  gen- 
eral, instead  of  an  attack  by  land.  The  language  is  highly  rhetorical. 
Crediderint.  Livy,  Nepos,  and  Tacitus  use  the  perf.  subj.  after  ut, 
denoting  a  consequence,  when  a  single,  specific,  past  act  is  ex 
pressed  ;  when  a  repeated  or  continued  action,  the  imp.  subj.  Most 
writers  use  the  imp.  in  both  cases.  See  H.  482,  2,  and  480  ;  A.  and 
G.  287,  c,  and  R  ;  Z.  516  ;  also  Z.  504,  note,  and  note  H.  1,  24  :  de- 
derit. 

Sic  venientibus.  It  would  seem  that  these  waters  between  An- 
glesey and  the  mainland  must  have  changed  their  depth  since  the 
times  of  Tacitus,  as  ships  of  considerable  size  now  sail  through 
these  straits. 

Officiorum  ambitum.     Compliments  of  office.    Ky. 

Placuisset.     Subj.,  cf.  note,  11  :  ut  quos. 

Expeditionem-continuisse.  He  did  not  call  it  a  campaign  or  a  vic- 
tory to  have  kept  tJie  conquered  in  subjection. 

Laureatis,  sc.  litteris.  It  was  customary  to  communicate  the 
news  of  victory  to  the  Emperor  and  Senate,  by  letters  bound  with 
bay-leaves,  cf.  Liv.  5,  28 :  litterae  a  Postumio  laureatae  sequuntur. 
Without  litterae,  it  occurs  only  here.  Or.  So  in  H.  3, 77.  T.  avoids 
the  technical  expression  and  employs  the  word  laurea,  seldom  used 
in  this  sense. 

Dissimulatione.     Cf.  note,  6. — Aestimantibus,  cf.  aestimanti,  11. 


190  NOTES. 

The  aspiring,  and  especially  the  vain,  may  learn  from  this  passage  a 
lesson  of  great  practical  value.  Compare  also  §  8,  at  the  close. 

XIX.  Aliena  experimental.     The  experience  of  others. 

Nihil.  Ellipsis  of  agere  (which  is  inserted  without  MS.  authority 
in  the  common  editions).  So  Cic.  PhiL  1,  2 :  Nihil  per  senatum, 
etc.  Cf.  G.  19:  adhuc,  note. 

Libertos  servosque.  The  political  prominence  of  freedmen  and 
slaves  in  ancient  governments  was  the  sure  sign  of  an  oppressive 
despotism. 

Ascire,  al.  accire.  To  receive  into  regular  service.  The  reference 
is  to  the  transfer  of  soldiers  from  the  raw  recruits  to  the  legions. 
So  W.  followed  by  Dr.,  R.,  and  W.  The  next  clause  implies  that  he 
took  care  to  receive  into  the  service  none  but  the  best  men  (optimum 
quemque),  whom  he  deemed  trustworthy  (jidissimum)  just  in  propor- 
tion as  they  were  good.  This  use  of  two  superlatives  mutually  re- 
lated to  each  other,  the  former  with  quisque,  is  frequent  in  Latin, 
and  resembles  the  English  use  of  two  comparatives :  the  better,  the 
more  trustworthy.  Cf.  Z.  710,  b  ;  also  note,  3  :  promptissimus  quis- 
quc. 

Exsequi  =  punire.  A  sense  peculiar  to  the  later  Latin.  Cic. 
and  Caes.  use  persequi.  For  a  similar  use  of  the  word  in  the  ex- 
pression of  a  similar  sentiment,  see  Suet.  Jul.  67 :  Delicta  neque 
observabat  omnia  neque  pro  modo  exsequebatur.  Compare  our 
word  execute.  And  mark  the  sentiment,  as  a  maxim  in  the  science 
of  government. 

Sevcritatem  commodare.  "W.  with  Dr.  and  R.  make  this  an  ex- 
ample of  zeugma.  And  in  its  ordinary  acceptation  (i.  e.  in  the  sense 
to  give)  the  word  commodare  certainly  applies  only  to  vcniam,  and 
not  to  severitatcm.  But  commodare  in  its  primary  signification  means 
to  adapt ;  and  in  this  sense  it  suits  both  of  its  adjuncts :  He  adapted 
(awarded)  pardon  to  small  offences,  severe  punishment  to  great  ones. 
So  Wr.  For  the  series  of  infinitives,  cf.  notes,  5  :  nosci,  etc. ;  G.  30  : 
pracponcrc,  etc. 

Nee  poena-contentus  csse.  Nor  was  he  always  content  with  pun- 
ishment, but  oftener  with  repentance.  Mere  punishment  v\  ithout  ref- 
ormation did  not  satisfy  him;  reformation  without  punishment 
satisfied  him  better.  See  Dod.  in  loc.  Here,  too,  some  have  called 
in  the  aid  of  zeugma. 

Auctionem.    Al.  exactionem.     The  former  is  the  reading  of  the 


AGEICOLA.  191 

greater  part  of  the  MSS.  and  the  later  German  editions.  Audionem 
tributorum  refers  to  the  increased  tribute  exacted  by  Vesp.  Cf.  Sue- 
ton.  Vesp.  16  :  auxisse  tributa  provinces,  nonnullis  et  duplicasse. 

Munerum.  Duties,  burdens. — Circumcisis.  Cf.  note,  2 :  expul- 
sis,  etc.,  and  11 :  amissa  virtute. 

Namque-cogebantur.  The  best  version  we  can  give  of  this  ob- 
scure passage  is  as  follows  :  For  they  were  compelled  in  mockery  to 
sit  by  the  closed  granaries  and  to  buy  corn  needlessly  (beyond  what 
was  necessary,  cf.  note  on  ullro,  G.  28,  when  they  had  enough  of 
their  own)  and  to  sell  it  at  a  fixed  price  (prescribed  by  the  purchasers). 
It  has  been  made  a  question  whether  the  granaries  of  the  Britons 
or  those  of  the  Komans  are  here  meant.  Dod.,  Dr.,  and  R.  advocate 
the  former  opinion ;  Walch,  Wr.,  Or.,  and  Kit.  the  latter.  Accord- 
ing to  the  former  view,  the  Britons  were  often  obliged  to  buy  corn 
of  the  Romans,  because  they  were  forbidden  to  use  their  own,  to 
supply  themselves  and  their  families ;  according  to  the  latter,  because 
they  were  required  (as  explained  below)  to  carry  their  contributions 
to  a  quarter  so  distant  from  their  own  granaries,  that  they  were  fain 
to  buy  the  corn  rather  at  some  nearer  warehouse  of  the  Romans. 
The  setting  at  a  fixed  price  is  equally  intelligible  on  either  supposi- 
tion. Or.,  following  the  best  MSS.,  reads  ludere  pretio,  which  Rit.  has 
amended  into  colludere  pretio.  Ultro  may  well  enough  be  rendered 
moreover  or  even,  thus  giving  emphasis  to  emere. 

Devortia  itinerum.  By-roads,  explained  by  avia,  as  longinquitas 
is  by  rcmoia.  The  object  of  requiring  the  people  to  convey  their 
contributions  to  such  distant  and  inconvenient  points  was  to  compel 
them  to  buy  of  the  Romans,  or  to  pay  almost  any  sum  of  money  to 
avoid  compliance.  The  reader  of  Cic.  will  remember  in  illustration 
of  this  whole  passage  the  various  arts  to  which  Verres  is  said  to 
have  had  recourse  to  enrich  himself  at  the  expense  of  the  people  of 
his  province  (Cic.  in  Ver.  3,  72,  and  82),  such  as  refusing  to  accept 
the  contributions  they  brought,  obliging  them  to  buy  of  him  at  his 
own  price,  requiring  them  to  carry  supplies  to  points  most  distant 
and  difficult  of  access,  ut  vccturae  dfficultate  ad  quam  vel'cnt  aestima- 
tioncm  pcrvcnircnt. 

Omnibus,  sc.  et  incolis  et  militibus ;  paucis,  sc.  praefectis  aut 
publicanis.  Dr. 

Donec-fitrd.  The  subj.  here  denotes  a  purpose  or  object  in 
view,  and  therefore  follows  donee  according  to  the  rule.  H.  522,  II. ; 


192  NOTES. 

A.  and  G.  328 ;  Z.  575.  Tacitus,  however,  always  expresses  a  re- 
peated past  action  after  donee  by  the  imp.  sub.  Cf.  note,  37  :  affec- 
tavere ;  H.  1,  13,  35. 

XX.  Statim.  Emphatic,  like  tvbvs.  Cf.  Thucyd.  2,  47:  rov 
bepovs  evSiiis  apxanevov :  at  the  very  beginning  of  summer.  So  in 

Intolerantia,  al.  tolerantia,  but  without  MS.  authority.  Incuria 
is  negligence.  Intolerantia  is  insufferable  arrogance,  severity,  in  a 
word,  intolerance.  So  Cic. :  superbia  atque  intolerantia. 

Quae-timcbatur.  And  no  wonder,  since  ubi  solitudincm  faciunt, 
pacem  appellant,  30. 

Multus,  al.  militum.  Multus  in  the  recent  editions.  Multus  = 
frequens,  cf.  Sal.  Jug.  84 :  multus  ac  ferox  instare. — Modestiam-dis- 
jectos.  These  words  are  antithetic,  though  one  is  abstract  and  the 
other  concrete.  The  whole  clause  may  be  literally  rendered  thus  : 
ever  present  in  the  line  of  march,  he  commended  good  order  (discipline) ; 
the  disorderly  he  restrained. 

Popular  ctur,  sc.  A.  Quominus,  that  not  =  but:  but  he  ravaged 
their  country  by  unexpected  invasions. 

Irritamenta.     Inducements. — Pads.     Ang.  to  or  for  peace. 

Ex  aequo  egcrant,  lit.  had  acted  (lived)  on  an  equality,  i.  e.  had 
maintained  their  independence,  cf.  His.  4,  64  :  aut  ex  aequo  agetis  aut 
aliis  imperitabitis. 

Iram  posuere.  Cf.  Hor.  Ars  Poet. :  et  iram  colligit  ac  ponit 
temere.  See  also  G.  27 :  ponunt  dolorem,  etc. 

Ut-transierit.  The  clause  is  obscure.  The  best  that  can  be 
made  of  it  is  this:  they  were  encompassed  by  forts  and  garrisons  with 
so  much  skill  and  care  that  no  part  of  Britain  hitherto  new  went  over 
(to  the  enemy)  with  impunity  (literally  unattacked).  For  the  mean- 
ing of  nova,  cf.  22.  For  transient,  cf.  transitio,  II.  2,  99  ;  3,  61 ;  and 
Freund,  sub  v.  This  is  Walther's  interpretation.  If,  with  Ernesti, 
Dr.,  and  some  others,  we  might  suppose  a  sic,  ita,  or  tam,  to  be 
understood  with  illaccssila,  we  might  obtain  perhaps  a  better  sense, 
viz.  came  over  (to  the  Romans)  with  so  liitle  annoyance  (from  the 
enemy).  In  the  last  edition  a  meaning  was  attached  to  transurit 
(remained,  sc.  unattacked),  for  which  I  now  find  no  sufficient  author- 
ity. Among  the  many  amendments  which  have  been  suggested,  the 
easiest  and  best  is  that  of  Susius,  followed  by  Wexius,  Diibncr,  Or., 
and  Hit.,  viz.  placing  Illaccssila  transiit  at  the  beginning  of  the  next 


AGRICOLA.  193 

chapter.  But  this  docs  violence  not  only  to  MS.  authority,  but  to 
Latin  usage  in  making  the  adverb  u(,  so  as,  as,  follow  tanta.  In  such 
a  connection,  id  must  be  a  conjunction  =  so  that,  thai.  See  Freund 
sub  v.  For  the  perf.  subj.  cf.  note,  18  :  crediderint. 

Praesidiis  castellisquc.  Gordon,  in  his  Itinerarium  Septentrionale, 
found  more  remains  of  Roman  works  in.  that  part  of  Britain  here  re- 
ferred to  than  in  any  other  portion  of  the  island.  It  will  be  of 
some  assistance  in  preserving  the  chronology  to  remember  that  the 
events  of  this  20th  chapter  occurred  79  A.  D.,  the  year  of  the  erup- 
tion of  Vesuvius,  which  destroyed  Herculaneum  and  Pompeii.  Ves- 
pasian died  in  June  of  the  same  summer. 

XXI.  Ut-assuescerent.  In  order  that  they  might  become  habituated, 
etc. — In  bella  faciles.  Easily  inclined  to  wars.  Cf.  Ann.  14,  4  -.facili 
ad  gaudia.  Al.  in  bello,  bcllo,  and  in  bellum. —  Otio.  See  note,  11 : 
otio. — Privatim.  As  a  private  individual ;  publice,  by  public  author- 
ity, and  of  course  from  the  public  treasury,  cf.  note,  G.  39  :  publice. 
— Jam  vero.  Moreover,  cf.  G.  14,  note. 

Anteferre.  Wr.  takes  this  word  in  its  primary  sense  —  bear  be- 
fore, i.  e.  carry  beyond :  he  carried  (advanced)  the  native  talents  of 
the  Dritons  beyond  the  learning  of  the  Gauls.  But  there  is  no  author- 
ity for  such  a  use  of  the  word,  when  followed  by  the  ace.  and  dat. 
It  is  doubtless  used  in  its  more  ordinary  sense ;  and  the  preference 
which  A.  expressed  for  the  genius  of  the  Britons  over  the  learning 
of  the  Gauls  stimulated  them  to  greater  exertions.  It  is  somewhat 
curious  to  observe  thus  early  that  mutual  emulation  and  jealousy 
which  has  marked  the  whole  history  of  Britain  and  France. — Toga. 
Cf.  note  on  togatos,  9. 

Ut-conccipiscerent.  Ut  =  so  that,  denoting  a  consequence.  The 
verb  here  denotes  a  continued  or  habitual  state  of  mind.  Hence  the 
imp.  subj.  Cf.  note,  18:  credidcrit. 

Discessum,  sc.  a  patrum  moribus  ad  vitia  varia.     Dr. 

Delcnimenta  •=  ilia,  quibus  animi  leniuntur.  Dr.  Charms, 
blandishments.  Cf.  H.  1,  77.  The  word  is  not  found  in  Cic.  or 
Caes. 

Humanitas.  Civilization,  refinement.  Compare  the  professor- 
ships of  humanity  in  European  Universities. 

Pars  servitutis.  For  the  sentiment,  cf.  His.  4,  64 :  voluptatibus, 
quibus  Roman!  plus  adversus  subjectos  quam  armis  valent.  Cum 
=  while,  although.  Hence  the  subj. 


194  NOTES. 

XXII.  Tertius-annus.  Third  campaign,  A.  D.  80.  The  Colos- 
seum was  finished  this  year. 

Tanaum.  So  all  the  MSS.  and  recent  critical  editions.  The 
Frith  of  'fay  has  been  generally  supposed  to  be  meant,  hence  the 
reading  has  been  changed  to  Taum  in  many  editions. — Nationibus. 
Here  synonymous  with  gentes ;  sometimes  less  comprehensive,  cf. 
note,  G.  2. 

Pactione  ac  fuga.  Al.  ant  fuga,  but  without  authority.  There 
are  but  two  distinct  clauses  marked  by  aut-aut :  either  taken  by  as- 
sault or  abandoned  by  capitulation  and  flight. 

Nam-firmabantur.  This  clause  assigns  a  reason  why  the  Ro- 
mans  were  able  to  make  frequent  sorties  (crebrae  eruptiones),  viz. 
supplies  of  provisions  so  abundant  as  to  be  proof  against  blockade. 

Moras  obsidionis.    A  protracted  siege,  or  blockade. 

Annuls  copiis.  Supplies  for  a  year.  This  is  the  primary  sig- 
nification of  annum  ;  that  of  our  word  annual  is  secondary. 

Intrepida-praesidio  =.  hiberna  quieta  ac  tuta  ab  hostibus.  Fac. 
and  For.  —  Irritis,  baffled.  Seldom  applied  to  persons  by  prose 
writers.  Cf.  H.  4,  32. 

Pensare.  R.  remarks  a  peculiar  fondness  in  T.  for  the  use  of 
the  simple  verb  instead  of  the  compound,  e.  g.  missa  for  omissa, 
sistens  for  resistens,  flammare  for  inflammare,  etc.  So  here  pensare 
=  compcnsare.  Cf.  12  :  trahuntur,  note. 

Avidus,  sc.  laudis  =  per  aviditatem  laudis  et  gloriae :  A.  never 
in  his  eagerness  for  glory  arrogated  to  himself  the  honor  of  the  achieve- 
ments of  others. — Seu-seu.  Every  one,  whether  centurion  or  praefect 
(commander  of  a  legion,  cf.  note,  H.  1,  82),  was  sure  to  have  in  him 
an  impartial  witness  to  his  deeds. 

Acerbior,  cf.  note  on  durius,  16. — Apud  quosdam  =  a  quibus- 
dam. 

Secretum  et  silentium.  Reserve  and  silence.  So  W.  and  Ky. 
But  R.  and  Dr. :  private  interviews  (to  be  summoned  to  which  by 
some  commanders  was  alarming),  and  neglect  of  the  usual  salutations 
in  public  (which  was  also  often  a  token  of  displeasure  on  the  part  of 
a  superior  officer).  The  former  is  the  more  simple  and  obvious, 
though  it  must  be  confessed  that  the  latter  is  favored  by  the  usus 
loquendi  of  T.,  in  regard  especially  to  secretum,  cf.  39 ;  Ann.  3,  8, 
where  secreto  is  opposed  to  palam  ;  and  His.  4,  49  :  inccrtum,  quo- 
niam  secreto  corum  nemo  adfuit. 


AGRICOLA.  195 

XXIII.  Quarta  aestas,  A.  D.  81.     The  Emperor  Titus  died  in 
September  of  this  year.     Obtincndis.     Securing  possession  of. — Pa- 
teretur,  sc.  terminum  inveniri. — In  ipsa  Brit.     In  the  very  nature 
or  structure  of  the  island,  as  described  in  the  sequel.      See  Or. 

-in  loc. 

Clota  et  Bodotria.    Frith  of  Clyde  and  Frith  of  Forth. 

Revectae,  i.  e.  the  natural  current  being  driven  back  by  the  tide 
from  the  sea  on  either  side.  Angusto-spatio.  It  is  now  cut  across 
by  a  ship  canal. 

Propior  sinus  =  peninsula  on  the  south  side  of  the  friths,  cf. 
note  on  sinus,  G.  1,  and  29.  Sinus  refers  particularly  to  the  curved 
border  on  this  side  the  estuaries.  This  border  (wherever  the  friths 
were  so  narrow  as  to  require  it),  as  well  as  the  narrow  isthmus,  was 
occupied  and  secured  (tenebatur)  by  garrisons. 

XXIV.  Nave  prima.     TJie  first  Roman  ship  that  ever  visited  those 
shores.    So  Br.,  Dr.,  etc.    The  foremost  ship,  sc.  A.  himself,  followed 
by  others  in  a  line.     So  Ritter,  Wr.,  and  some  others  understand  it 
of  a  voyage  from  Rome,  where  they  suppose  him  to  have  passed  the 
winter,  and  whence  he  crossed  over  to  Britain  by  the  earliest  vessel 
in  the  spring.     W.  and  R.  make  prima  equivalent  to  an  adv.,  and 
render :  crossing  over  for  the  first  time  by  ship.     Or.  also  makes 
prima  =  turn  primum. 

Copiis.  Here  troops  with  their  equipments  =  forces,  cf.  8 :  ma- 
joribus  copiis. — Mcdio  sila,  lying  between,  not  midway  between.  E. 
— In  spem-formidinem.  More  with  the  hope  of  invading  Ireland 
than  through  fear  of  invasion  by  the  Irish. —  Valentissimam  partem, 
viz.  Gaul,  Spain,  and  Britain. 

Miscuerit.  The  subj.  here  denotes  the  aim  or  purpose  of  the 
projector  :  it  would  have  done  so  in  his  view. 

Invicem  =  an  adj.  mutual. — Nostri  marts.     The  Mediterranean. 

Diffcrunt :  in  melius.  The  authorities  differ  greatly  as  to  the 
reading,  the  pointing,  and  the  interpretation  of  this  passage.  Some 
copies  omit  in.  Others  insert  nee  before  it.  Some  place  the  pause 
before  in  melius,  others  after.  Some  read  divert,  others  differunt. 
Nee  in  melius  would  perhaps  give  the  better  sense.  But  the  reading 
is  purely  conjectural.  I  have  given  that  which,  on  the  whole,  seems 
to  rest  on  the  best  authority,  and  to  make  the  best  sense.  The 
sense  is  :  the  soil,  climate,  itc.,  do  not  differ  much  from  those  of 
Britain,  But  that  the  harbors  and  entrances  to  the  country  are  letter 


196  NOTES. 

(lit.  differ  for  the  letter,  diffcrre  in  melius),  is  ascertained  through  the 
medium  of  the  merchants  who  resort  thitJier  for  trade  (for  Ireland  had 
not  yet,  like  Britain,  been  explored  by  a  Roman  army).  So  Wr.  and 
Dod.  On  in  melius,  see  note  H.  1,  18.  Or.  and  Rit.  make  the  com- 
parison thus  :  the  harbors  and  entrances  are  better  known  than  the 
soil,  climate,  etc.  The  common  interpretation  is  :  the  harbors,  etc., 
of  Ireland  are  better  known  than  those  of  Britain.  But  neither  of 
these  interpretations  accounts  for  the  position  of  melius ;  and  the 
last  is  in  itself  utterly  incredible. 

Ex  co,  sc.  A.  Pass,  and  Dr.  understand  it  of  the  Irish  chief,  and 
infer  that  T.  had  been  in  Brit.  But  A.  is  the  subject  of  the  next 
sentence,  without  the  repetition  of  his  name,  as  it  would  have  been 
repeated  if  this  sentence  referred  to  another. 

XXV.  Amplexus.  Some  supply  bello,  as  in  17:  bello  amplexus. 
But  better :  embracing  in  his  plan  of  operations,  i.  e.  extending  his 
opwations  to  those  tribes. 

Hosiilis  cxercitus.  Al.  hostili  exercitu.  But  hostilis  excrcitus  in 
the  MSS.  and  earliest  editions. — Infcsta  is  here  active :  hostile  inroads 
of  the  enemy's  forces. 

In  partem  virium.     For,  i.  e.  as  a  part  of  his  force. 

Impelleretur,  was  borne  on  with  rapid  and  resistless  power. 

Profunda-adversa.     Cf.  note,  6  :  inania  honoris. 

Mixti  copiis  et  laetitia.  Uniting  tJicir  stores  and  their  pleasures, 
i.  e.  their  respective  means  of  entertainment.  For  mixti,  cf.  4 :  lo- 
cum-mixtum.  For  copiis  in  this  sense,  22  :  annuls  copiis.  For  the 
other  sense,  viz.  forces,  24  :  copiis,  note. 

Hinc-hinc  =  on  this  side-on  that.  Cf.  note,  G.  14 :  illum-illam. 
—  Victus.  Al.  auctus. 

Clauderetur.     H.  606;  A.  and  G.  312. 

Ad  manus  et  arma.     Ang.  to  arms. 

Oppugnasse  depends  on  fama.  Their  preparations  were  great. 
Rumor  as  usual  (uti  mos,  etc.)  represented  them  still  greater ;  for  the 
rumor  went  abroad  that  the  Caledonians  had  commenced  offensive 
operations  (oppugnasse  ultro). —  Castella  adorti  is  the  means  by  which 
they  metum  addiderant,  i.  e.  had  inspired  additional  fear. 

Pcllcrentur.     Oratio  obliqua.     H.  529 ;  A.  and  G.  336. 

Pluribus  agminibus.  In  several  divisions.  Accordingly  it  is 
added :  diviso  et  ipsc,  A.  himself  also,  i.  e.  as  well  as  the  Britons, 
having  divided,  etc. 


AGRICOLA.  197 

Agmen  (from  ago),  properly  a  body  of  men  on  the  march. — Exer- 
citus,  under  military  drill  (exerceo). 

XXVI.  Quod  ubi,  etc.    Wlien  this  was  known,  etc.   Latin  writers, 
as  well  as  Greek,  generally  link  their  sentences,  chapters,  etc.,  more 
closely  together  than  English.     Hence  we  are  often  obliged  to  ren- 
der their  relative  by  our  demonstrative.     See  Z.  803.     Ubi,  here 
adv.  of  time,  as  in  20,  38,  et  passim. 

Maxime  invalidam.  The  ninth  legion  had  been  wellnigh  de- 
stroyed in  the  insurrection  under  Boadicea.  The  new  recruits  would, 
of  course,  be  less  reliable. 

Certdbant.  Rot  fought  with  the  enemy,  but  vied  with  each  other. 
So  below :  utroque-certante.  Hence  followed  by  dc  gloria,  not  pro 
gloria,  which  some  would  substitute  for  it :  secure  for  (in  regard  to) 
safety,  they  vied  with  each  other  in  respect  to  (or  in)  glory.  With  pro 
salute,  cf.  His.  4,  58 :  pro  me  securior. 

Eruperc.     Sallied  forth,  sc.  from  the  camp. 

Utroque  exerdtu.    Each  of  the  two  Roman  armies. 

Quod.  Cf.  12,  note. — Debellatum,  lit.  the  war  would  have  been 
fought  out,  i.  e.  ended. 

XXVII.  Cujus  refers  to  victoria  in  the  previous  section  (cf.  quod 
2fi,  note) :  inspirited  by  the  consciousness  and  the  glory  of  this  victory. 

Modo  cauti.  Compare  the  sentiment  with  25 :  specie  pruden- 
tium,  etc. 

Arte-rati,  al.  arte  usos  rati  by  conjecture.  But  T.  is  fond  of  such 
ellipses :  Tlie  Britons,  thinking  it  was  not  by  superior  bravery,  but 
by  favoring  circumstances  (on  the  part  of  the  Romans)  and  the  skill 
of  their  commander  (sc.  that  they  had  been  defeated).  Rit.  reads 
superali. 

Utrimque.  Both  the  Romans  and  the  Britons ;  the  Romans  ex- 
cited by  their  victory,  the  Britons  by  their  coetibus  ac  sacrificiis. 

Discessum.  They  separated,  viz.  after  the  battle  and  at  the  close 
of  the  campaign. 

XXVIII.  Cohors  Usipwrum.     See  same  story,  Dio  Cass.  66,  20. 
Adactis.     Forced  on  board. — Remigante  —  gubernante,  to  avoid 

sameness,  with  gubernatoribus,  Br.  R.  supposes  that,  having  but 
one  pilot  left,  only  the  vessel  on  which  he  sailed  was  rowed,  while 
the  others  were  towed  by  it ;  and  this  rowing  under  his  direction  is 
ascribed  to  him.  Some  MSS.  and  many  editions  read  remigrante, 
which  some  translate:  making  his  escape,  and  others  connect  with 


198  NOTES. 

irderfectis,  and  suppose  that  he  also  was  slain  in  trying  to  bring  back 
his  boat  to  shore.  Whether  we  read  remigante  or  remigrante,  the 
signification  of  either  is  unusual. 

Praevehebantur.    Sailed  along  the  coast  (in  sight  of  land). 

Mox,  etc.  The  reading  of  this  line  seems  to  be  hopelessly  cor- 
rupt. Ulrichs  reads :  Mox  ad  aquam  atque  utilia  raptanda  egressi, 
etc. 

Inopiae  is  goTerned  by  eo,  which  is  the  old  dat.  —  to  such  a  de- 
gree.— Ad  extremum  =  at  last. 

Vescerentur  followed  by  the  ace.  H.  419,  4 ;  Z.  466.  For  the 
imp.  subj.  cf.  note,  21 :  ut-concupiscerent. 

Amissis-navibus.  This  is  regarded  by  some  as  proof  that  all  the 
steersmen  were  slain  or  escaped.  Dr.  answers  that  it  may  refer  only 
to  the  two  ships  that  were  without  steersmen. 

Suevis.  A  people  of  Northern  Germany  (G.  38,  seq.),  whither, 
after  having  circumnavigated  Britain,  the  Usipii  came. — Mox,  subse- 
quently, some  having  escaped  the  Suevi. 

Per  commercia.     In  trade,  cf.  same  in  39. 

Nostram  ripam.  The  Gallic  bank  of  the  Rhine,  which  was  the 
border  of  the  Roman  Empire,  cf.  G.  passim. 

Quos-indicium-illastravit.  Whom  the  account  of  to  wonderful 
an  adventure  rendered  illustrious.  The  rule  would  require  the  subj, 
H.  601,1.  2;  Z.  561. 

XXIX.  Initio  acstatis,  \.  e.  in  the  beginning  of  the  next  summer 
(the  7th  campaign,  cf.  25 :  aestate,  qua  sextum,  etc.),  as  the  whole 
history  ehows.  See  especially  proximo  anno,  34.  Hence  the  pro- 
priety of  commencing  a  new  section  here.  The  common  editions  be- 
gin it  below :  Igitur,  etc. 

Plerique.     Cf.  note  on  it,  1. — Fortium  virorum.     Military  men. 

Ambitioee,  with  affected  fortitude,  stoically. — JRurtus  =  contra,  on 
tlic  contrary,  showing  the  antith.  between  ambitiose  and  per  lamenta. 
— Per  lamenta,  cf.  6 :  per  caritatem. — Igitur,  cf.  13,  note. 

Quae-faceret  —  nt  ea  faceret.     H.  500*;  A.  and  G.  317  ;  Z.  507. 

Inccrtum  is  explained  by  pluribus  locis.  Render :  general  alarm, 
— Expedito  =  sine  impediments,  armis  solis  instructo.  Fac  and  For. 
— Montem  Grampium.  Now  Grampian  hills. 

Cruda-senedus.  Cf.  Virg.  Aen.  6,  304  :  sed  cruda  deo  viridisque 
sencctus.  Crudus  is  rarely  found  in  this  sense  except  in  the  poets, 
Crudus  properly  =  bloody  (cruort  cruldus)\  hence  the  successive 


AGRICOLA,  199 

significations,  raw,  unripe,  fresh,  vigorous. — Sua  decora  =  praemia 
ob  virtutem  bellicam  accepta.  E.  Any  and  all  badges  of  distinction, 
especially  in  arms.  Wr.,  Or.,  and  Dod. 

XXX.  Causas  belli.  Explained  by  universi  servitutis  expertes 
below,  to  be  the  defence  of  their  liberties.  In  like  manner,  nostrum 
necessitate™,  is  explained  by  nuttae  ultra  terrae :  there  is  no  retreat 
for  us,  etc. — Animus.  Confidence. 

Proelium-arma.  T.  has  a  passion  for  pairs  of  words,  especially 
nouns,  of  kindred  signification.  See  examples  in  Index  to  Histories ; 
and  in  this  chapter,  spem  ac  subsidium,  recessus  ac  sinus,  cbsequium 
ac  modestiam. 

Priores  pugnae,  sc.  in  which  the  Caledonians  took  no  part. — • 
Pugnae  is  here,  by  a  figure,  put  for  the  combatants  themselves,  who 
are  represented  as  looking  to  the  Caledonians,  as  a  kind  of  corps  de 
reserve,  or  last  resource. 

Eo.  For  that  reason.  The  best  things  are  always  kept  guarded 
and  concealed  in  the  penetralia.  There  may  also  be  a  reference  to 
a.  fact  stated  by  Caesar  (B.  G.  5,  12),  that  the  inhabitants  of  the  in- 
terior were  aborigines,  while  those  on  the  coast  were  immigrants. 

Terrarum-extremos.  The  remotest  of  men  and  last  of  freemen. — 
Recessus — -famae.  Our  very  remoteness  and  obscurity.  This  is  the 
most  common  and  perhaps  the  most  simple  translation,  making 
sinus  famae  =  seclusion  in  respect  to  fame.  Perhaps,  however,  it 
accords  as  well  with  the  usual  signification  of  the  words,  and  better 
with  the  connection  and  spirit  of  the  speech,  to  take  sinus  famae  in 
the  sense  retreat  of  glory,  or  glorious  retreat.  So  Wr.  His  inter- 
pretation of  the  passage  and  its  connection  is  as  follows  :  our  very 
remoteness  and  our  glorious  retreat  have  guarded  us  till  this  day. 
J?ut  now  the  farthest  extremity  of  Brit,  is  laid  open  (i.  e.  our  retreat 
is  no  longer  a  safeguard) ;  and  everything  is  esteemed  great  (i.  e.  this 
safeguard  also  is  removed — 'the  Romans  in  our  midst  no  longer  mag- 
nify our  strength).  Kit.  encloses  the  clause  in  brackets,  as  a  gloss, 
He  renders  sinus  famae,  bosom  of  fame,  fame  being  personified  as  a 
goddess.  R.,  Dr.,  Or.  make  famae  dative  after  dffendit  =  has  kepi 
back  from  fame. 

Sed  nullajam,  etc.  But  now  all  the  above  grounds  of  confidence 
— our  remoteness,  our  glory,  our  greatness  magnified  by  the  imagi- 
nation of  our  enemies,  from  the  very  fact  that  we  were  unknown  to 
them — all  these  are  removed ;  we  have  none  behind  us  to  fall  back 


200  NOTES. 

upon,  as  our  countrymen  in  former  battles  have  leaned  upon  us — 
and  we  are  reduced  to  the  necessity  of  self-defence  and  self-reliance. 
The  sec?  seems  to  be  antithetic  to  the  whole  as  far  back  as  priores 
pugnae ;  whereas  nunc  is  opposed  only  to  the  clause  which  imme- 
diately precedes  it,  and  constitutes  an  antithesis  within  an  antith- 
esis. 

Infestiores,  sc.  quam  fluctus  et  saxa. 

Effugeris.  Cf.  note,  G.  19:  non  invencrit ;  also  satiavcrit  just 
below. 

Et  mare.    Et  —  also.    Cf.  note,  G.  11. 

Opes  atque  inopiam.    Abs.  for  cone.  —  rich  and  poor  nations. 

Falsis  nominibus  is  by  some  connected  with  rapere.  But  better 
with  appellant.  They  call  things  by  false  names,  viz.  plunder,  empire  ; 
and  desolation,  peace. 

XXXI.  Annos  =  annonam,  yearly  produce,  cf.  G.  14 :  expectare 
annum.  So  often  in  the  poets. — Infrumentum.  For  supplies.  The 
reading  of  this  clause  is  much  disputed.  The  text  follows  that  of 
W.  and  R.,  and  is  approved  by  Freund.  For  the  meaning  of  egerunt, 
cf.  praedam  egesscrunt,  H.  3,  33. 

Silvis-cmuniendis  =  viis  per  silvas  et  paludes  muniendis.     E. 

Semel.  Once  for  all,  G.  19. — Emit,  sc.  tributis  pendendis  ;pascit, 
sc.  frumento  praebendo.  E. 

Portus,  quibus  exercendis.  W.  and  Dr.  explain  this  of  collecting 
revenue  at  the  ports  (i.  e.  farming  them),  a  thing  unknown  to  the 
early  Britons ;  Wr.  of  rowing,  servile  labor.  Why  not  refer  it  to  the 
construction  or  improvement  of  harbors  ?  By  rendering  exercendis, 
working,  improving,  we  make  it  applicable  alike  to  harbors,  mines, 
and  fields. — Rcservemur.  Subj.  in  a  relative  clause  denoting  a  pur- 
pose. H.  500 ;  A.  and  G.  317 ;  Z.  567. 

Brigantcs.  This  is  the  reading  of  the  manuscripts,  which  were 
amended  to  read  Trinobantes,  to  correspond  with  the  statement  of 
the  Annals  xiv.  31.  It  is  possible  that  the  Brigantes  are  mentioned 
here  as  living  farther  north,  and  better  known  to  the  Caledonians. 

Potuere.  Observe  the  ind.,  where  we  use  the  potential.  It  is 
especially  frequent  with  possum,  dcbeo,  etc.  Z.  518  and  519. 

Nonne  implies  an  affirmative  answer.  Z.  352 ;  H.  346,  II.  1,  2) ; 
A.  and  G.  210,  c. 

In  pocnitentiam,  al.  in  praesentiam.  The  general  idea  is  essen- 
tially the  same  with  either  reading.  Non  in  pracscniiam  =  not  to 


AGRICOLA.  201 

obtain  our  freedom  for  the  present  merely.  Non  in  poenitentiam  = 
not  about  to  obtain  our  freedom  merely  to  regret  it,  i.  e.  in  such  a 
manner  as  the  Brigantes,  who  forthwith  lost  it  by  their  socordia. 

XXXII.  Nisi  si  =  nisi  forte,  cf.  note,  G.  2 :  nisi  si  patria. 
Pudet  diclu.     The  supine  after  pudct  is  found  only  here.     Quin- 

tilian,  however,  has  pudendum  dictu.  Cf.  Or.  in  loc. ;  and  Z.  441, 
443. 

Commendent,  etc.  Although  they  give  up  their  blood  to  (i.  e.  shed 
it  in  support  of)  a  foreign  tyrant. — Tamen  is  antithetic  to  licet :  al- 
though they  give,  yet  longer  enemies,  than  slaves  (of  Rome). 

Metus-est.  It  is  fear  and  terror  (sc.  that  keep  them  in  subjec- 
tion), weak  bonds  of  affection. 

Removeris-dcsicrint.    Fut.  perf.     Cf.  note,  G.  23 :  indulscris. 

Nulla-aut  alia.  Some  of  the  Roman  soldiers  had  lost  all  attach- 
,  ment  to  country,  and  could  not  be  said  to  have  any  country ;  others 
had  one,  but  it  was  not  Britain — it  was  far  away. 

Ne  terreat.  The  third  person  of  the  imperative  is  for  the  most 
part  avoided  in  ordinary  language ;  and  the  pres.  subj.  is  used  in  its 
stead.  Z.  529,  note. 

Nostras  manus,  i.  e.  those  ready  to  join  us  and  aid  our  arms,  viz. 
(as  he  goes  on  to  say)  the  Gauls  and  Germans,  as  well  as  the  Britons 
now  in  the  Roman  ranks. — Tamquam  =just  as  (tam-quam).  Dod. 
renders,  just  as  certainly  as. 

Vacua.  Destitute  of  soldiers. — Senum,  sc.  veterani  ct  emeriti. 
Cf.  note,  15.  Aegra  —  disaffected.  Cf.  H.  2,  86. 

Hie  dux,  etc.  Here  a  general,  here  an  army  (sc.  the  Roman,  awaits 
you) ;  there  tributes,  mines,  etc.  (and  you  must  conquer  the  former 
or  endure  the  latter — these  are  your  only  alternatives). 

In  hoc  campo  est.  Depends  on  this  battle-field.  T.  has  laid  out 
all  his  strength  on  this  speech.  It  can  hardly  be  matched  for  mar- 
tial force  and  sententious  brevity.  It  breathes,  as  it  should  in  the 
mouth  of  a  Briton,  an  indomitable  spirit  of  liberty,  and  reminds  us, 
in  many  features,  of  the  concentrated  and  fiery  eloquence  which  has 
so  often  roused  our  American  Indians  to  defend  their  altars  and  re- 
venge their  wrongs. 

XXXIII.  Ut  barbaris  moris.    Al.  et  barbari  moris.     But  com- 
pare 39 :  ut  Domitiano  moris  erat ;  His.  1,  15 :  ut  moris  est.     Supply 
cst  here :  as  is  the  custom  of  (lit.  to)  barbarians.    Z.  448 ;  H.  402,  I. ; 
A.  and  G.  214,  c. 


202  NOTES. 

Agmina,  sc.  conspiciebantur. — Procursu  is  the  means  by  which 
the  gleam  of  arnaor  was  brought  into  view. 

Acies,  sc.  Britannorum.  The  Roman  army  was  still  within  the 
camp,  cf.  munimentis  coercilum,  below. 

Coercitum  =  quo  coerceri  potest.  The  part,  used  hi  the  sense  of 
a  verbal.  So  monstratus,  G.  31,  which,  Freund  says,  is  Tacitean. 
The  perf.  part.  pass,  with  negative  prefix  in  often  takes  this  sense. 
Z.  328.  Cf.  note,  His.  5,  7 :  inexhaustum. 

Oclavus  annus.  This  was  Agricola's  seventh  summer  in  Britain. 
See  note,  29 :  inilio  aestatis.  But  it  being  now  later  in  the  season 
than  when  he  entered  Britain,  he  was  now  entering  on  his  eighth 
year.  Cf.  Kit.  in  loc. 

Virtute-Romani.  By  the  valor  and  favoring  auspices  of  the  Ro- 
man Empire.  War  was  formerly  carried  on  auspiciis  Populi  Rom. 
But  after  Augustus,  auspiciis  Imperatoris  or  Imperil  Rom. 

Expeditionibm-proeliis.  These  words  denote  the  time  of  poeni- 
tuit  (in  or  during  so  many,  etc.). — Patientia  and  laborc  are  abl.  after 
opus. 

Terminos.  Ace.  after  egrcssi  (H.  371,  4):  having  transcended  the 
limits.  Cf.  Z.  387. 

Fama,  rumore.     Synonyms.     Also  castris,  armis.     Cf.  note,  30. 

Vota-aperto.  Your  votes  and  your  valor  now  have  free  scope  (are 
in  the  open  field),  cf.  note  1 :  in  aperto. 

In  frontcm.    Antith.  to  fugientibus.     Hence  =  progredientibus. 

Hodie.  To-day,  i.  e.  in  our  present  circumstances  of  prosperity. 
Wr. 

Nec-fucrit.  Nor  will  it  have  been  inglorious,  sc.  when  the  thing 
shall  have  been  done,  and  men  shall  look  back  upon  our  achieve- 
ments. The  fut.  perf.  is  appropriate  to  such  a  conception. 

Naturae  fine.     Cf.  note,  G.  45 :  illus  usque  natura. 

XXXIV.  Hortarer.  Literally,  /  would  be  exhorting  you.  The 
use  of  the  imperf.  subj.  in  hypothetical  sentences,  where  we  should 
use  a  plup.  (I  would  have  exhorted  you),  is  frequent  both  in  Greek 
and  Latin,  even  when  it  denotes  a  complete  past  action,  cf.  Z.  525. 
When  the  action  is  not  complete,  as  here,  the  Latin  form  is  at  once 
more  lively  and  more  exact  than  the  English. — Proximo  anno.  This 
same  expression  may  signify  either  the  next  year  or  the  last  year. 
Here  of  course :  the  last  year,  referring  to  the  battle  described  in  26, 
cf.  also  note,  29 :  Initio  aestatis. 


AGRICOLA.  203 

Decora.    Deeds  of  glory. 

Furto  nociis.     Cf.  Virg.  Aen.  9,  397 :  fraude  noctis. 

Contra  mere.  Husk  forth  to  meet,  penetrantibus,  etc.  E.  and 
Wr.  take  mere  for  perf.  3d  pi.  instead  of  ruerunt,  since  T.  uses  the 
form  in  ere  much  more  than  that  hi  erunt.  Rit.  makes  it  inf.  after 
sold  understood,  or  rather  implied  in  pettuntur,  which  =  petti  solent. 

Quos-quod.  Whom,  as  to  the  fact  that  you  have  at  length  found 
(it  is  not  because)  they  have  taken  a  stand,  but  they  have  been  overtaken. 
Cf.  Wr.  and  Or.  in  loc.  On  deprehensi,  cf.  note,  1.  On  quod  =  as  to 
this,  that,  see  examples  in  Freund,  or  in  any  Lexicon. 

Novissimae-^vesliffiis.  The  extremity  of  their  circumstances,  and 
their  bodies  (motionless)  with  terror  have  brought  them  to  a  stand  for 
battle  on  this  spot,  etc.  One  MS.  reads  novissime  and  omits  acicm, 
which  reading  is  followed  in  the  common  editions. 

Extremo  metu  is  to  be  closely  connected  with  corpora.  For  the 
sense  ofdefixerc,  cf.  Ann.  13,  5:  pavore  defixis. 

Ederetis.    Subj.     Cf.  H.  600;  A.  and  G.  317;  Z.  556,  a. 

Transiffitc  cum  expeditionibus  =  finite  expeditiones.  Dr.  Cf.  G. 
19 :  cum  spe-transigitur,  note. 

Quinquaginta  annis.  So  many  years,  it  might  be  said  to  be  in 
round  numbers,  though  actually  somewhat  less  than  fifty  years,  since 
the  dominion  of  Rome  was  first  established  in  Britain  under  the 
Emperor  Claudius.  Cf.  13,  supra. — The  speech  of  A.  is  not  equal 
to  that  of  Galgacus.  He  had  not  so  good  a  cause.  He  could  not 
appeal  to  the  sacred  principles  of  justice  and  liberty,  to  the  love  of 
home  and  household  gods.  But  he  makes  the  best  of  a  bad  cause. 
The  speech  is  worthy  of  a  Roman  commander,  and  touches  with 
masterly  skill  all  those  chords  in  a  Roman  soldier's  breast,  that  were 
never  touched  in  vain. 

XXXV.  Et  =.  both.  Both  while  ho  was  speaking  and  after  he 
had  ceased,  the  soldiers  manifested  their  ardor,  etc. 

Instinctos.     Cf.  note,  16 :  instincti. 

Aciem  firmarent  =.  aciem  firmam  facerent,  of  which  use  there  are 
examples  not  only  in  T.,  but  in  Liv.  Dr.  The  auxiliary  foot  for med 
or  made  up  (not  merely  strengthened)  the  centre. — Affundcrentur. 
Were  attached  to. — Pro  vallo.  On  the  rampart ;  properly  on  the  fore- 
part of  it.  Cf.  note,  H.  1,  29. 

Ingens-decus.  In  app.  with  legiones-stetere.  It  was  especially 
glorious  if  he  could  gain  the  victory  without  loss  to  his  best  troops. 


204  NOTES. 

Bellanti,  sc.  Agricolae.     Al.  bellandi. 

Si  pellerentur.    If  the  irregular  troops  should  be  repulsed. 

In  speciem.    Cf.  in  suam  famara,  8,  and  in  jactationem,  5. 

Aequo.  Supply  consisteret  to  correspond  with  insurgeret.  Zeug- 
ma. Cf.  note,  18:  in  aequum. 

Media  campi.  The  intervening  parts  of  the  plain,  sc.  between 
the  two  armies. — Covinarius  is  found  only  in  T.  Covinarii  =  the 
cssedarii  of  Caesar.  Covinus  erat  currus  Belgarum,  a  quibus  cum 
Britanni  acceperant.  Dr. 

Pedes.    Norn.  sing,  in  app.  with  subject  of  constitit. 

XXXVI.  Ingentibus  gladiis,  etc.  So  below:  parva  scuta,  etc. 
The  small  shield  and  broad  sword  of  the  Highlandci-s. 

Donec-cohortatus  est.  Cf.  note,  Gr.  3Y:  affectavere. — Batavorum 
cohortes.  Al.  tres-cokortes.  But  the  number  is  not  specified  in  the 
best  MSS.  In  the  Histories,  eight  cohorts  of  Batavians  are  often 
mentioned  as  constituting  the  auxiliaries  of  the  14th  legion,  which 
was  now  in  Britain.  See  Rit.  in  loc. 

Ad  mucrones.  The  Britons  were  accustomed  to  fight  with  the 
edge  of  the  sword,  and  cut  and  hew  the  enemy.  The  Romans,  on 
the  contrary,  made  use  of  the  point.  Of  course,  in  a  close  engage- 
ment, they  would  have  greatly  the  advantage.  Br. — Ad  manits. 
The  opposite  of  eminus,  i.  e.  a  close  engagement.  The  same  thing  is 
expressed  below  by  complexum  armorum. 

In  aperto  pugnam.  Literally  a  fight  in  the  open  field,  i.  e.  a 
regular  pitched  battle,  which,  with  its  compact  masses,  would  be  less 
favorable  to  the  large  swords  of  the  Britons  than  a  battle  on  ground 
uncleared  of  thickets  and  forests.  Al.  in  arto. 

Miscere,  ferirc,  etc.  A  series  of  inf.  denoting  a  rapid  succession 
of  events,  cf.  cote,  5 :  noscere-nosci ;  G.  30  :  praeponere. 

Equitum  turmae,  sc.  Britannorum.  The  word  litrmae  is  appli- 
cable to  such  a  cavalry  as  theirs,  cf.  Ann.  14,  3-1 :  Britannorum  co- 
piae  passim  per  catervas  et  turmas  exsultabant.  Br.,  Ky.,  and  others 
here  understand  it  of  the  Roman  cavalry.  But  R.,  Dr.,  and  Wr. 
apply  it  to  the  Britons,  and  with  reason,  as  we  shall  see  below,  and 
as  we  might  infer  indeed  from  its  close  connection  with  covinarii, 
for  the  covinarii  were  certainly  Britons. 

Peditum  proclio,  hostium  agminibus.  These  also  both  refer  to 
the  Britons.  The  covinarii  were  interspersed  among  their  own  in- 
fantry, and,  as  the  Romans  advanced,  became  entangled  with  them. 


AGRICOLA.  205 

This  is  disputed.  But  the  small  number  of  Romans  slain  in  the 
whole  battle  is  alone  enough  to  show  that  their  cavalry  was  not 
routed,  nor  their  infantry  broken  in  upon  by  the  chariots  of  the 
enemy.  Moreover,  how  could  T.  properly  use  the  word  hostium  of 
his  own  countrymen  ? 

Minimeque,  etc.  This  is  one  passage,  among  a  few  in  T.,  which 
is  so  manifestly  corrupt  that  no  sense  can  be  made  of  it  as  it  stands 
in  the  MSS.  The  reading  given  in  the  text  is  the  simplest  of  all  the 
conjectural  readings  that  have  been  proposed.  It  is  that  of  Br.  and 
E.,  and  is  followed  by  the  common  editions.  Cavalry  took  a  large 
part  in  the  battle.  But  the  battle  wore  little  the  aspect  of  an  eques- 
trian fight ;  for  the  Britons,  after  maintaining  their  position  with 
difficulty  for  some  time,  were  at  length  swept  away  by  the  bodies 
(the  mere  uncontrolled  bodies)  of  the  horses — in  short,  the  riders  had 
no  control  over  horses  or  chariots,  which  rushed  on  without  drivers 
obliquely  athwart,  or  directly  through  the  lines,  as  their  fears  sever- 
ally impelled  them  ;  all  which  was  in  marked  contrast  to  a  Roman's 
idea  of  a  regular  battle  of  cavalry. 

XXXVII.    Vacui.     Free  from  apprehension. 

Ni.  Cf.  note,  4 :  ni. — Subila  belli.  Unexpected  emergencies  aris- 
ing in  the  course  of  the  battle.  Cf.  6 :  inania  honoris. 

Grande  el  atroz  spectaculum,  etc.  See  a  similar  description  hi 
Sal.  Jug.  101.  The  series  of  infinitives  and  the  omission  of  the  con- 
nectives (asyndeton)  make  the  succession  of  events  very  rapid  and 
animated.  Compare  the  famous  veni,  vidi,  vici,  of  Caesar. 

Prout-erat.  According  to  their  different  natural  disposition,  i.  e. 
the  timid,  though  armed,  turned  their  backs  before  inferior  numbers  ; 
while  the  brave,  though  unarmed,  met  death  in  the  face. 

Praestare  tcrga  is  an  expression  found  only  in  T. 

Et  aliquando,  etc.  El  =  ac  tamen.  And  yet  (notwithstanding 
the  flight  of  crowds  and  the  passive  death  of  some,  as  above)  some- 
times to  the  conquered  also  there  was  anger  and  bravery.  The  lan- 
guage is  Virgilian,  cf.  Aen.  2,  367. 

Quod.  Cf.  note,  12. — Ni  frcquens-fiduciam  ford.  Had  not  A., 
who  was  every  where  present,  caused  some  strong  and  lightly  equipped 
cohorts  to  encompass  the  ground,  while  part  of  the  cavalry,  having 
dismounted,  made  their  way  through  the  thickets,  and  part  on  horse- 
back scoured  the  open  woods,  some  disaster  would  have  proceeded 
from  this  excess  of  confidence.  Ky. 


206  NOTES. 

XXXVIII.  Gaudio  pracdaque  laeta.     Cf.  note,  G.  7:  cibos  et  hor- 
tamina.     Observe  also  the  juxtaposition  of  tempeslate  and  fama  in 
this  same  chapter. 

Scparare,  so.  consilia,  i.  e.  they  sometimes  act  in  concert,  sometimes 
provide  only  for  their  individual  safety. 

Pignorurn.  Cf.  note,  G.  7:  pignora. — Saevisse.  Laid  violent 
hands.  "This  picture  of  rage  and  despair,  of  tenderness,  fury, 
and  the  tumult  of  contending  passions,  has  all  the  fine  touches 
of  a  master  who  has  studied  human  nature."  Mur. — Secreti  = 
deserti. 

Ubi.  When,  cf.  26.  Its  direct  influence  extends  to  nequibat, 
and  with  its  clause  it  expresses  the  reason  why  A.  drew  off  his  forces 
iiito  the  country  of  the  Borcsti. — Spargi  bellum  =  diversis  locis,  vel 
diviso  exercitu,  vel  vagando  bellum  geri.  E. 

Secunda-fama.  Favored  by  the  weather  and  the  glory  of  their  past 
achievements  (lit.  the  weather  and  fame  following  them,  secunda  = 
scquunda). 

Trutulensem  portum.  Some  port,  now  unknown,  probably  near 
the  mouth  of  the  Tay  or  the  Forth.  Unde  qualifies  lecto.  E.  With 
redierat  a  corresponding  adv.  denoting  whither  is  to  be  supplied : 
whence  it  had  set  sail,  and  whither,  after  having  surveyed  all  the 
nearest  coast  of  Britain,  it  had  now  returned.  Had  returned,  i.  e. 
prior  to  entering  the  port ;  the  action  of  redierat  was  prior  to  that  of 
tcnuit.  Hence  plup.  Proximo,  nearest,  sc.  to  the  scene  of  Agricola's 
operations,  i.  e.  the  whole  northern  coast  from  the  Forth  to  the 
Clyde  and  back  again.  This  was  all  that  was  necessary  to  prove 
Britain  to  be  an  island  (cf.  chap.  10),  the  southern  coast  having 
been  previously  explored. 

XXXIX.  Actum.    Al.  auctum,  a  conjecture  of  Lipsius.     Actum 
=  treated  of,  reported. — Moris  erat.     II.  402,  I. ;  A.  and  G.  214,  c  ; 
Z.  448,  N.  1. 

Falsum-triumphum.  He  had  returned  without  so  much  as  see- 
ing the  enemy  (Dio  Cass.  6*7,  4);  and  yet  he  bought  slaves,  dressed 
them  in  German  style,  had  their  hair  stained  red  (G.  4 :  rutilac  comae) 
and  left  long,  so  as  to  resemble  Germans,  and  then  marched  in  tri- 
umph into  Rome  with  his  train  of  pretended  captives  !  Caligula  had 
done  the  same  before  him.  Suet.  Calig.  47. 

Formarentur.  Subj.  in  a  relative  clause  denoting  a  purpose 
(quorum  =  ut  eorunt).  H.  500;  A.  and  G.  317;  Z.  5C7. 


AGRICOLA.  207 

Studia-acla.  Lawyers  and  politicians,  all  public  men,  had  been 
gagged  and  silenced  by  Domitian. 

Alius.  Another  than  the  Emperor. — Occuparet  =  prc-occupy,  so 
as  to  rob  him  of  it. 

Utcumque.  Somehow,  possibly,  perhaps.  Other  things  perhaps 
were  more  easily  concealed  ;  but  the  merit  of  a  good  commander  was  an 
imperial  prerogative. 

Quodque-satiatus.  And  what  was  a  proof  of  some  cruel  purpose, 
wholly  absorbed  in  his  retirement  (where  he  never  plotted  anything 
but  mischief,  and  where  in  early  life  he  is  said  to  have  amused  him- 
self with  killing  flies,  Suet.  Dom.  3).  Cf.  Plin.  Panegyr.  48 :  nee 
unquam  ex  solitudine  sua  prodeuntem,  nisi  ut  solitudinem  faceret. 
The  whole  passage  in  Pliny  is  a  graphic  picture  of  the  same  tyrant, 
the  workings  of  whose  heart  are  here  so  laid  bare  by  the  pen  of 
Pliny's  friend,  Tacitus.  Secreto-satiatus  may  also  be  translated: 
satisfied  with  his  own  secret,  i.  e.  keeping  to  himself  his  cherished 
hatred  and  jealousy. — Languescerel.  Subj.  after  donee.  Cf.  note,  G. 
37 :  affectavere. 

Reponere  odium.     See  lexicon  under  repono  for  this  phrase. 

Impetus-exercitus.  Until  the  freshness  of  his  glory  and  his  popu- 
larity with  the  army  should  gradually  decline. 

Etiam  turn  obtinebat,  \.  e.  he  was  still  in  possession  of  the  govern- 
ment, and  of  course  in  command  of  the  army,  in  Britain. 

XL.  Triumphalia  ornamenta.  Not  a  real  triumph,  which,  from 
the  reign  of  Augustus,  was  conceded  only  to  the  Emperor  or  the 
princes  of  the  Imperial  Family;  but  triumphal  insignia,  such  as 
the  corona,  laurea,  toga  praetexta,  tunica  palmata,  sella  curulis,  etc. 
Dr. 

Illustris  statuae.  Called  laurcata,  Ann.  4,  23  ;  triumphalis,  His. 
1,79. 

Quidquid  datur.  Besides  the  ornamenta  above  mentioned,  sacri- 
fices and  thanksgivings  were  offered  in  the  name  of  the  victorious 
commander.  Dr. 

Addique.  Al.  additque.  Addique  is  the  reading  of  the  MSS. 
and  old  editions.  And  it  suits  better  the  genius  cf  Dom. ;  he  did 
not  express  the  opinioncm  himself,  for  it  was  not  his  real  intention, 
but  he  ordered  some  one  to  put  it  in  circulation  as  if  from  him,  that 
he  might  have  the  credit  of  it  and  yet  not  be  bound  by  it.  Desti- 
nari,  sc.  by  Domitian. 


208  NOTES. 

Majoribus  reservatam.  Majoribus  =  illustrioribus.  Syria  was 
the  richest  province  in  the  empire,  and  the  praefectship  of  it  the 
most  honorable  office. 

Ex  secretioribus  ministcriis.  One  of  his  private  secretaries  or  con- 
fidential agents. 

Codicillos.  Under  the  Emperors  this  word  is  used  to  denote  an 
imperial  letter  or  diploma.  Properly  a  billet,  diminutive  of  codex, 
tablet  (=  caudex,  trunk  of  a  tree). 

Syria  dabatur.  Syria  was  one  of  the  provinces  that  were  at  the 
disposal  of  the  Emperor. 

Ex  ingenio  principis.  In  accordance  with  (cf.  ex,  G.  7)  the  (dis- 
simulating) genius  or  policy  of  Domitian.  The  design,  if  not  real, 
at  least  imputed  to  him,  was  to  withdraw  Agricola  from  his  province 
and  his  troops  at  all  events,  by  the  offer  of  the  best  province  in  the 
empire  if  need  be ;  but  that  object  having  been  secured  by  Agricola's 
voluntary  retirement,  the  offer,  and  even  the  ordinary  civilities  of 
life,  especially  official  life,  were  deemed  unnecessary.  Compare  this 
with  the  concluding  sentence  of  the  preceding  chapter. 

Cclebritate  et  frequentia.  Hendiadys :  By  the  number  of  distin- 
guished men  who  might  go  out  to  meet  him  (and  escort  him  into  the 
city). 

Officio  =  salutatione.  Dr. — Brevi  osculo,  lit.  a  hasty  kiss  =  cold 
and  formal  salutation.  The  kiss  was  a  common  mode  of  salutation 
among  the  Romans,  in  the  age  of  the  Emperors.  See  Becker's 
Gallus,  p.  54. 

Turbae  servientium.  The  usual  and  characteristic  associates,  as 
well  as  attendants  of  Domitian.  A  severe  cut,  though  quite  inci- 
dental and  very  concise. 

Oliosos.  Antith.  to  militare.  Men  in  civil  life,  cf.  note  on  otio, 
11. 

Otium  auxit.    Augere  otium  =  sequi  altissimum  otium.     Dr. 

Penitus  =  inwardly,  i.  e.  sincerely,  zealously.  So  R.  But  Dr.  = 
prorsus,  omnino,  valde. — Cultu  modicus.  Simple  in  dress,  cf.  note 
on  cultus,  G.  6. — Comitatus,  passive,  so  used  by  Cic.  also. —  Uno  aut 
nltcro.  One  or  two. 

Per  ambitionem  =  ex  vitae  splendore  et  numeroso  comitatu.  Br. 
Cf.  note  on  ambitio,  G.  27. 

Quaercrcnt-interpretarentur.  Many  inquired  (with  wonder)  into 
the  reputation  (of  a  man  so  unassuming),  and  few  explained  or  under- 


AGRICOLA.  209 

stood  (the  true  reason  of  his  humble  manner  of  life).  Interpretaren- 
tur,  notfamam  but  the  facts  above  mentioned,  and  the  necessity  A. 
was  under  of  living  as  he  did. —  Visa  aspectoque.  On  seeing  him  and 
directing  their  attention  particularly  to  him. 

XLI.  Crimen  =  public  accusation. —  Querela  =  private  complaint. 
— Princeps,  gloria,  genus.  Supply,  as  a  predicate,  causa  periculi ; 
these  were  the  causes  that  put  A.'s  life  in  jeopardy. 

Militares  viri  =.  duces.     So  Corbulo  is  called,  Ann.  15,  26. 

Expugnati  et  capti.  Defeated  and  taken  captive,  For.  and  Fac. 
Properly  expugnare  is  said  of  a  fortress  or  city.  But  imo\iopKfiv  in 
Greek  is  used  in  the  same  way,  of  persons.  Compare  expugnatis 
praesidiis,  16,  note.  The  wars  particularly  referred  to  are  those 
against  Decebalus,  leader  of  the  Dacians,  which  lasted  four  years  and 
in  which  Moesia  also  was  invaded  by  the  Dacians,  and  several  Roman 
armies  with  their  commanders  were  lost  (Suet.  Dom.  6) ;  and  that  of 
the  Pannonian  legions  against  the  German  tribes  of  the  Marcomani 
and  the  Quadi  (Dion,  6*7,  7). 

Hibernis-dubitatum,  i.  e.  the  enemy  not  only  met  them  on  the 
river-banks,  which  formed  the  borders  of  the  empire,  but  attacked 
the  winter  quarters  of  their  troops,  and  threatened  to  take  away  the 
territory  they  had  already  acquired. 

Funcribus,  sc.  militarium  virorum. — Cladibus,  sc.  cohortium.   Dr. 

Amore  et  fide.  Out  of  affection  and  fidelity  (sc.  to  their  imperial 
master). — Malignitale  et  livore.  Out  of  envy  and  hatred  (sc.  towards 
A.). 

Pronum  detcrioribus.  Inclined  to  the  worse  measures,  or,  it  may 
be,  to  the  worse  advisers. 

In  ipsam-agebatur  =  invito  gloria  aucta,  simulque  pernicies  ac- 
celerata.  W. 

XLII.  Asiae  et  Africae.  He  drew  lots,  which  he  should  have, 
both  being  put  into  the  lot. — Proconsulatum.  See  H.  1,  49,  note,  on 
proconsul.  A.  had  already  been  consul,  9. 

Sortiretur.  In  which  he  would,  or  such  that  he  must,  obtain  by 
lot,  etc.  Cf.  H.  501,  I. ;  A.  and  G.  319 ;  Z.  558.  The  oldest  of  the 
men  of  consular  rank  drew  lots  for  these  two  most  important  prov- 
inces which  were  in  charge  of  the  Senate,  Asia  and  Africa. 

Occiso  Civica.  Cf.  Suet.  Dom.  10 :  complures  senatores,  et  in 
his  aliquot  consulares,  interemit,  ex  quibus  Civicam  Cerealem  in  ipso 
Asiae  proconsulatu. 


210  NOTES. 

Nee  Agricolae-exemplum.  A.  warning  was  not  wanting  to  A.  (to 
avoid  the  dangerous  post);  nor  a  precedent  to  Dom.  (for  disposing  of 
A.  in  the  same  way  if  he  accepted  the  office). 

Iturusne  esset.  Subj.  Cf.  H.  525  ;  A.  and  G.  334 ;  Z.  552.— In- 
lerrogarent.  H.  500 ;  A.  and  G.  317 ;  Z.  56V. 

In—cxcusalione.     In  urging  his  request  (before  Dom.)  to  be  excused, 

Paratus  simulatione.  Al.  simulation!.  Furnished  with  deceit, 
armed,  as  it  were,  with  hypocrisy. 

In  arrogantiam  compositus.     Assuming  a  proud  demeanor. 

Beneficii  invidia,  lit.  the  odium  of  such  a  kindness  =  so  odious  a 
favor.  The  idea  is,  he  did  not  blush  to  let  A.  return  thanks  for  a 
signal  injury,  as  if  it  were  a  real  kindness.  "  A  refinement  of  cruel- 
ty not  unfrequently  practised  by  the  worst  Roman  Emperors."  Ky. 
The  only  peculiarity  in  the  case  of  Dom.  was  the  unblushing  impu- 
dence with  which  he  perpetrated  the  wrong,  cf.  45.  See  a  fine  com- 
mentary on  this  passage  in  Sen.  de  Benef.  4,  IT:  Quis  est,  qui  non 
beneficus  vidcri  velit  ?  qui  non  inter  scelera  et  injurias  opinionem 
bonitatis  afiectet?  velit  quoque  Us  videri  bcneficium  dedisse,  quos 
laesit  ?  gratias  Hague  agi  sibi  ab  his,  quos  afflixere,  patiuntur. 

Salarium.  Properly  salt-money,  i.  e.  a  small  allowance  to  the 
soldiers  for  the  purchase  of  salt.  Cf.  davarium,  H.  3,  50,  note. 
But  after  Augustus,  official  pay,  salary.  In  earlier  times  the  govern- 
ment simply  arranged  that  the  provincial  officers  should  be  furnished 
with  all  necessaries.  Augustus  introduced  a  system  of  regular 
salaries. 

Ne-emisse.  That  he  might  not  appear  to  have  purchased  a  com- 
pliance with  his  virtual  prohibition  (viz.  of  A.'s  accepting  the  procon- 
sulship). 

Proprium  humani,  etc.     Mark  the  sentiment. 

Irrevocabilior.  More  implacable.  Found  in  this  sense  only  in 
T.  Cf.  Bot.  Lex.  Tac. 

Illicita.  Unlawful,  i.  e.  forbidden  by  the  powers  that  be.  Ex- 
plained by  contumacia  and  inani  jactatione  libcrtatis  above.  T.  is 
animadverting  upon  the  conduct  of  certain  stoics  and  republicans, 
who  obtruded  their  opinions  upon  those  in  power,  and  coveted  the 
glory  of  martyrdom. 

Eo-cxcedere.  Reach  the  same  height  of  distinction.  Eo,  old  dat. 
Cf.  eo  inopiae  28,  note.  Excedere,  lit.  come  out  to,  arrive  at.  Cf. 
Val.  Max.  5,  6,  4:  ad  summum  imperii  fastigium  excessit. 


AGRICOLA.  211 

Per  abrupta.     Through  abrupt  and  dangerous  paths.     Ky. 

Ambitiosa  morte,  i.  e.  morte  ultro  adita  captandae  gloriae  causa 
apud  posteros.  For.  and  Fac. 

XLIII.  I/uctuosus,  afflictive,  is  stronger  than  tristis,  sad. 

Vulgus.  The  lower  classes,  the  ignorant  and  indolent  rabble. — 
Populus.  T7ie  common  people,  tradesmen,  mechanics,  and  the  like. 
Hence  aliud  agens,  which  implies  that  they  were  too  busy  with 
something  else  of  a  private  nature  to  give  much  attention  to  public 
affairs  or  the  concerns  of  their  neighbors. — Populus  and  vulgus  are 
brought  together  in  a  similar  way,  Dial,  de  Clar.  Orat.  7 :  Vulgus 
quoque  imperitum  et  tunicatus  hie  populus,  etc. 

Nobis-ausim.  I  should  not  dare  to  affirm  that  we  (the  friends  of 
A.)  found  any  conclusive  proof  that  he  was  poisoned. — Cetcrum. 
But.  This  implies  that  the  circumstantial  evidence,  which  he  goes 
on  to  specify,  convinced  the  writer  and  his  friends,  as  well  as  the 
public,  that  poison  administered  by  direction  of  Dom.  was  really  the 
means  of  hastening  A.  out  of  the  world.  Dion  Cassius  expressly 
affirms  that  he  was  poisoned,  66,  20. 

Principatus.  The  imperial  government  in  general,  5.  e.  former 
Emperors. 

Momenta  ipsa  deficientis.  Each  successive  stage  of  his  decline. 
Ipsa  is  omitted  in  the  common  editions.  But  it  rests  on  good  au- 
thority, and  it  adds  to  the  significance  of  the  clause :  the  very  moments, 
as  it  were,  were  reported  to  Dom. 

Per  dispositos  cursores.  Dom.  appears  not  to  have  been  at  Rome 
at  this  time,  but  in  the  Alban  Villa  (cf.  45),  or  somewhere  else. 

Constabat.  That  was  an  admitted  point,  about  which  there  was 
entire  agreement  (con  and  sto). 

Animo  vultuque.  Hendiadys  :  he  wore  in  his  countenance  an  ex- 
pression of  heartfelt  grief. 

Securus  odii.  Now  that  A.  was  dead,  Dom.  had  nothing  to  fear 
in  regard  to  the  object  of  his  hatred,  or  the  gratification  of  his  hate. 
Odii.  Gen.  of  the  respect. — Qui-dissimularet.  Qui  =  talis,  ut, 
hence  the  subj.  H.  501,  I. ;  A.  and  G.  319  ;  Z.  558. 

Lecto  testamento.     When  A's  will  was  read. 

Honore  judicioque.  As  if  a  mark  of  honor  and  esteem.  E.  says 
judicio  honorifico. — Piissimae,  devoted,  affectionate. 

Malum  principem.  It  was  customary  for  rich  men  at  Rome,  who 
were  anxious  to  secure  any  of  their  property  to  their  heirs,  to  be- 
10 


212  NOTES. 

queath  a  part  of  their  estates  to  bad  emperors  in  order  to  secure  the 
remainder  from  their  rapacity. 

This  and  several  preceding  sections  present  a  most  graphic  oui~ 
line  of  the  life  and  times  of  Dom.,  the  more  to  be  prized,  because  the 
full  picture,  which  T.  doubtless  drew  of  him  in  the  Histories,  is  lost. 
The  Histories  and  the  Annals  are  a  portrait-gallery  full  of  such  pic- 
tures, drawn  to  the  life. 

XLIV.  Natus-excessit.  The  dates  assigned  for  A.'s  birth  and 
death  do  not  agree  with  the  age  ascribed  to  him.  They  may  be  har- 
monized in  either  of  two  ways,  each  of  which  has  its  advocates :  by 
reading  primum  instead  of  tertium,  or,  which  is  perhaps  a  more 
probable  amendment,  since  it  only  alters  the  relative  position  of  the 
two  characters,  by  reading  LIV.  instead  of  LVI. 

Quod  si.  And  if,  now  if. — Habitum.  Personal  appearance,  cf. 
G.  5. 

Decentior  quam  sublimior.    Well  proportioned,  rather  than  tall.   R. 

Nihilmetut.  Nothing  to  inspire  fear  in  his  countenance.  Antith. 
to  gratia-supererat :  kindness  of  expression  rather  prevailed.  So  Gr. 
and  R.  For  this  sense  of  metus,  see  note,  G.  2  :  ob  metum.  Dod. 
distinguishes  between  vultus  and  oris,  making  the  former  refer  more 
to  the  eyes  (as  if  from  volvo,  the  rolling  of  the  eye),  to  which  it  be- 
longs to  express  anger  and  fierceness ;  the  latter  to  the  mouth,  which 
is  more  expressive  of  kindness. 

Mcdio-aetalis.  We  should  hardly  say  so  of  a  man  dying  at  56. 
But  in  Dial,  de  Clar.  Orat.,  T.  speaks  of  120  years,  as  unius  hominis 
ac-tas. 

Et  vera  bona.  T.  has  here  in  mind  the  distinction  made  by  phi- 
losophers, particularly  the  Stoics,  between  the  virtues,  which  they 
called  the  only  real  good,  and  the  gifts  of  fortune,  which  they  de- 
clared to  be  indifferent. — Et-ct,  both-and,  marks  the  distinction  more 
strongly. 

Impleverat.    Had  enjoyed  to  the  full. 

Consulari.  Having  attained  to  the  rank  of  consul  (the  summit  of 
a  Roman's  ambition),  and  having  been  honored  with  triumphal  insig- 
nia. Al.  consularibus.  But  consulari  has  the  better  authority,  and 
makes  the  better  sense. 

Opibus-contigerant.  Great  riches  he  did  not  desire  ;  a  respectable 
property  it  was  his  good  fortune  to  possess,  cf.  5 :  medio  rationis  atque 
abundantiae.  Al.  non  contigerant.  But  considerable  property  is 


AGRICOLA.  213 

implied  in  the  circumstances  attending  his  will,  43,  also  in  his  not 
asking  the  usual  salary,  42.  Dion  Cass.  says,  however  (66,  20),  that 
A.  spent  his  last  days  in  want,  as  well  as  in  disgrace.  For  another 
explanation  of  gaudebat,  cf.  note,  G.  6. 

Quod-ominabatur.  Quod  is  omitted  in  the  common  editions. 
But  it  is  found  in  the  MSS.  And  it  may  be  explained  on  the  princi- 
ple of  Zeugma,  by  supplying  with  durare  and  videre  a  verb  implied 
in  grande  solatium  tulit,  thus :  though  (sicuti)  it  would  have  been  a 
great  gratification  to  A.  to  behold  the  dawn,  of  this  auspicious  age  and 
see  Trajan  Emperor,  of  which  he  expressed  in  my  hearing  a  sort  of 
prophetic  anticipation  and  desire,  yet  (ita),  etc.  Dion  Cassius  affirms 
(69,  12)  that  by  auguries  the  elevation  of  Trajan  to  the  throne  was 
foretold  as  early  as  A.  U.  C.  844,  i.  e.  two  years  before  the  death  of  A. 
The  reference  to  Trajan  here,  as  in  3,  marks  clearly  the  date  of  the 
composition,  cf.  note,  3 :  augeatque  Trajanus. 

Spiramenta.  Breathing-spells,  i.  e.  intervals  to  recover  and  take 
breath  in.  The  word  is  found  only  in  poetry  and  post-Augustan 
prose,  and,  in  the  expressive  sense  in  which  it  is  here  used,  only  ha 
Ammian.  Marc.  29,  1.  See  Or.  and  Freund. 

Velut  uno  ictu.  The  commentators  illustrate  the  force  of  this 
expression  by  reference  to  Caligula's  wish  (Vid.  Sen.  de  Ira.  8,  19) 
that  the  Roman  people  had  but  one  neck,  ut  scelera  sua  in  unum 
ictum  et  unum  diem  cogeret. 

XLV.  Non  vidit.  Did  not  see,  as  he  would  have  done  had  he 
lived  a  few  years  longer.  This  passage  resembles  Cic.  de  Orat.  3,  2, 
8,  too  closely  to  be  mere  coincidence.  Imitator  tamen,  id  quod  uni 
Tacito  contigit,  auctore  suo  praestantior.  Kit. 

Consularium.  Rhen.  collects  from  Suet,  the  names  of  several 
victims  of  Dom.'s  displeasure,  who  had  been  consuls. 

Feminarum.  Pliny  has  preserved  the  names  of  several  of  this 
list — Gratilla,  wife  of  Rusticus,  Arria,  wife  of  Thrasea,  Fannia, 
daughter  of  Thrasea  and  betrothed  to  Helvidius.  Their  husbands 
will  be  remembered  as  having  been  mentioned  in  1  and  2. 

Carus  Metius.  An  infamous  informer,  cf.  Plin.  Epist.  7,  19  ;  Juv. 
1,  35 ;  Mart.  12,  25,  5. 

Censebatur.  Was  honored,  ironice.  Censcri  est  aestimari,  sive 
existimationem  consequi.  Dr. 

Una-victoria.  He  had  occasioned  the  death  of  but  one  innocent 
victim. — Adhuc.  Up  to  the  death  of  A.,  cf.  G.  38 :  adhuc,  note. 


214  NOTES. 

Albanam  arccri.  A  favorite  retreat  of  Dom.  (situated  at  the 
foot  of  the  Alban  Mount,  about  seventeen  miles  from  Rome),  where 
he  sometimes  convened  the  Senate,  and  held  his  court  with  its  troop 
of  informers,  cf.  note,  43  :  cursores.  Hit.  in  loc.  suggests  that  by 
the  use  of  arcem  instead  of  palatium,  T.  means  to  represent  Domi- 
tian  as  shutting  himself  up,  like  many  tyrants,  in  a  fortified  castle, 
and  thence  sending  forth  the  emissaries  of  his  jealousy  and  cruelty. 

Senteniia.  His  voice,  his  sentiment  expressed  in  council  before 
Dom. — Inira  Albanam  arcem,  i.  e.  privately,  not  publicly,  as  after- 
wards at  Rome. 

Messalini.  Fuit  inter  principes  adulatores  et  delatores.  Dr.  Cf. 
Plin.  Epist.  4,  22  ;  Juv.  4,  113,  seq. 

Massa  Bebius.  Primus  inter  pares  of  Domitian's  tools.  He  began 
his  career  under  Vesp.,  cf.  His.  4,  50.  He  was  afterwards  impeached 
and  condemned  at  the  instance  of  the  province  of  Baetica,  Pliny  and 
Senecio  advocates  for  the  impeachment,  Plin.  Epist.  7,  33 ;  3,  4 ;  6, 
29. — Jam  turn.  At  that  very  time  on  trial,  not  merely  already  at  that 
time.  Cf.  Hand's  Tursel.  3,  113. 

Nostra,  sc.  of  the  Senate,  of  which  T.  was  a  member,  though 
abroad  at  the  time.  Helvidius  was  arrested  in  the  senate  house,  cf. 
Plin.  Ep.  9,  13.  This  was  Helvidius  the  son,  who  was  put  to  death 
by  Dom.  (Suet.  10),  as  his  father  was  by  Vesp.  (Suet.  15). 

Visus.  Al.  divisus.  Visits  =  species,  adspectus,  Wr. — Perfndit. 
Zeugma.  Understand  in  the  first  clause  horrore  pcrfudit  (Dr.)  or 
probro  affecit  (R.) :  the  spectacle  of  Mauricus  and  Rusticus  (hurried 
away,  the  one  to  exile,  the  other  to  death)  filled  us  with  horror  ;  we 
were  stained  by  the  innocent  blood  of  Senecio.  Of  Rusticus  and  Sene- 
cio, see  2,  note.  Of  Mauricus,  see  Plin.  Ep.  4,  22 :  quo-  viro  nihil 
firmius,  nihil  verius.  Also  Plin.  Ep.  3,  11. 

Viderc,  sc.  Domitianum. — Aspici,  sc.  a  Domitiano.  For  differ- 
ence in  the  signification  in  these  words,  cf.  40 :  viso  aspectoque, 
note. 

Suspiria-subscriberentur.  When  our  sighs  (of  sympathy  with 
the  condemned)  were  registered  against  us  (by  spies  and  informers,  as 
a  ground  of  accusation  before  the  Emperor). 

Hubor.  Redness,  referring  to  the  complexion  of  Dom.,  which 
was  such  as  to  conceal  a  blush,  cf.  Suet.  Dom.  18 :  vultu  ruboris 
pleno. 

Opportunitate  mortis.     An  expression  of  Cic.,  in   the  similar 


AGRICOLA.  215 

passage  above  cited  (de  Orat.  3,  2,  8),  touching  the  death  of 
Crassus. 

Pro  virili  portione,  lit.  for  one  man's  share,  referring  primarily  to 
pecuniary  assessments.  Here :  for  thy  part — so  far  as  thou  wast 
concerned.  A.  died  with  a  calmness  which  would  scarcely  admit  of 
the  supposition  that  he  felt  himself  to  be  a  victim  of  poison  and  im- 
perial jealousy. 

Filiacque  ejus.  The  apostrophe  is  here  dropped  to  be  resumed 
at  oplime  parentum.  So  the  MSS.  For  they  read  ejus  here  and 
amissus  est  below.  Rhenanus  omitted  ejus,  and  wrote  cs  for  est ;  and 
he  has  been  followed  in  the  common  editions  since. 

Conditione.  By  the  circumstance,  or  by  virtue  of  our  long  ab- 
sence. T.  and  his  wife  had  parted  with  A.  four  years  before  his 
death,  and  had  been  absent  from  Rome  ever  since,  where  or  why 
docs  not  appear. 

Supcrfuerc.     Cf.  supercst,  G.  6,  note. 

XLVI.  Sapientibus.  Cf.  sapientiae  professoribus,  2,  note. — Te 
immortalibus  laudibus.  I  feel  constrained  to  recur  to  the  reading  of 
Lipsius  and  Ritter;  it  is  so  much  more  spirited  ihanquam  temporali- 
bus.  Potius  manifestly  should  refer  back  to  lugeri  and  plangi.  The 
comparison  contained  in  the  more  common  reading  is  uncalled  for  in 
the  connection,  and  of  little  significance  in  itself.  The  MSS.  read 
temporalibus  laudibus,  without  quam,  and  this  may  be  more  easily 
resolved  into  te  immortalibus,  than  quam  can  be  supplied. — Simili- 
tudine.  Al.  aemulatione.  For  such  a  use  of  similitudo,  cf.  Cic.  Tusc. 
Quaest.  1,  46,  110 :  quorum  (sc.  Curii,  Fabricii,  Scipionum,  etc.), 
similititdincm  aliquam  qui  arripuerit,  etc. 

Decorcmus.  Ennius  (cited  by  Cic.  Tusc.  Q.  1,  49,  117,  and  de 
Senect.  20,  73)  uses  the  same  word  in  expressing  the  same  senti- 
ment :  nemo  me  lacrumis  dccorct  nee  funera  fletu  faxit.  Cf.  also 
G.  26. 

Formam.  This  makes  the  sense  so  much  better  (than  famam) 
that  E.,  Dr.,  Wr.,  R.,  and  most  others  have  adopted  it  against  the 
authority  of  the  MSS.,  cf.  forma  mentis,  below,  and  Cic.  passim. 

Intercedcndum.  To  be  prohibited.  Properly  said  of  a  veto  inter- 
posed by  the  Tribunes ;  then  of  any  prohibition. — Non  quia  =  not 
that,  is  characteristic  of  late  writers.  It  is  followed  by  the  subj.  Z. 
637,  and  note  H.  1,  15. 

flfanel,  mansurumque  est.    Cf.  Veil.  Paterc.  2,  66,  5  :  vivit,  vivet- 


216  NOTES. 

que  per  ornnem  saeculorum  memoriam.  The  periphrastic  form 
(mansurum  cst)  differs,  however,  from  the  future  (manebit),  as  our  is 
to  remain  from  will  remain.  See  Z.  498. 

Oblivio  obruet,  sc.  for  want  of  a  historian,  carent  quia  vatc  sacro, 
cf.  Hor.  Od.  4,  9,  25,  seq.  By  multos  veterum,  T.  means  many  an- 
cients of  real  worth.  So  velut  implies.  A.  is  to  be  immortalized 
through  his  biographer.  This  is  implied  in  narratus  et  traditus. 
Ancient  authors  thought  it  not  improper  to  express  a  calm  con- 
sciousness of  merit,  and  a  proud  confidence  of  immortality.  T.  is 
very  modest  and  delicate  in  the  manner  of  intimating  his  expecta- 
tions. But  the  sentiment  of  these  last  words  is  substantially  the 
same  with  the  line  of  Horace :  Exegi  monumentum  acre  perennius. 
The  whole  peroration  of  this  Biography  is  one  of  singular  beauty  and 
moral  elevation.  Pathetic,  yet  calm,  rich  in  noble  sentiments,  and 
animated  by  the  purest  and  loftiest  spirit,  it  is  a  fit  topstone  to  that 
monument,  in  respect  to  which  T.  felt  so  well-founded  an  assurance, 
which  still  manet  mansurumque  cst  in  animis  hominum,  in  aeternitate 
tcmporum,  fama  rerum.  There  is  scarcely  an  educated  youth  in 
Christendom  who  is  not  as  familiar  with  the  name  of  Agricola  as 
with  that  of  jEneas  and  Ulysses.  And  the  only  reason  why  we 
know  anything  of  those  heroes  is  the  genius  of  their  respective  biog- 
raphers. There  had  been  other  Agricolas  before  the  age  of  Trajan, 
as  there  had  been  other  heroes  like  JEneas,  and  other  wandering 
sages  like  Ulysses,  before  the  war  of  Troy.  But  they  found  ro 
Tacitus,  Virgil,  and  Homer  to  record  their  adventurous  and  virtuous 
deeds.  It  is  the  prerogative  of  eminent  writers  to  confer  immortal- 
ity ;  and  although  Alexander  would  prefer  to  be  Achilles  rather  than 
Homer,  we  should  have  known  little  of  his  achievements  had  he  not 
encouraged  scholars  as  well  as  warriors,  and  rewarded  genius  no  less 
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DESCRIPTIVE     CATALOGUE 

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A  single  copy  for  examination,  of  any  of  the  works  marked 
thus  *,  will  be  transmitted  by  mail,  postage  prepaid,  to  any  Teach- 
er remitting  one-half  of  its  price.  Any  of  the  others  will  be  sent 
by  mail,  postage  prepaid,  upon  receipt  of  full  retail  price. 


